GWERU — Midlands rural based theatre group Musasa Arts and Culture group, will soon roll out
theatre empowerment initiatives which organisers say will run under the moniker: “Youth Arts
Empowerment Programme.”
The programme, which is funded by Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust, will identify and uplift rural
and peri-urban areas artists.
“Youth Empowerment Programme is a talent discovery, development and management programme
funded by Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust. It seeks to identify, develop, nurture, promote and
market rural based youths and students’ talents,” said renowned artist Keith Zenda, who is the
director and founder of Musasa Arts and Culture group.
It is the first programme to be run by rural arts group, Musasa Arts and Culture group, an affiliate of
Hodzeko Arts and Culture Association (HACA), will be implemented with the support of HACA’s
department of Film and Theatre which consists of acclaimed theatre practitioners, multi-media
technocrats and scholars.
The project is designed to build a talent development framework that serves as a roadmap for the
intended arts festival, with an eye to build diverse, inclusive, flexible and versatile provincial arts
groups.
Speaking to the Times Arts and Entertainment, Zenda said the empowerment programme dubbed:
“Art For Empowerment,” will benefit artists in rural and remote communities.
Zenda hailed Culture Fund initiative for it will benefit artists in peri-urban, rural and remote areas
who had no access to information and opportunities.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank Culture Fund for their Good Samaritan gesture. The Art For
Empowerment which I believe will go a long way in developing the arts discipline in our Midlands
region, seeks to groom and showcase talents of youth from under-privileged communities,” said
Zenda.
The veteran and award-winning artist added that the programme is designed to address challenges
confronting youths in rural and urban communities such as limited access to professional skills,
mentorship and high unemployment levels.
According to the strategic work plan the project aims to empower underprivileged youths by
providing them with a platform to express their creativity and views through performing arts.
‘It will establish supportive structures for youths to acquire new skills towards creative expression in
performing arts, training on theatre for development, theatre techniques, voice projection, and
stage presence,“ read part of the strategic work plan.
Critical issues around climate change and gender equality will be raised.
On the youth arts empowerment programme, Musasa Arts officials said they will work with
community leaders, partners and stakeholders such as schools to identify, nurture and promote
young artists.
The project, which is set to run for six months in all the districts of Midlands Province, will bring
together all youths including special needs students to participate in their creative dynamics as well
as creating synergies and cultural exchange platforms, fitting well in the Ministry of Primary and
Secondary Education’s visual and performing arts curriculum, the National Development Strategy 1,
regional, global ambitions, pledges and targets.
Commenting on the kind gesture by Culture Fund, Midlands veteran internationally acclaimed
theatre expert, Mbizo Chirasha hailed the development, describing it as crucial in the development
of arts.
He however, urged the government to rise to the occasion and fund theatre, covering the void which
has been left by the donors who are now channeling funds to other programmes outside the
creative and cultural industry.
