Former President for the National Theatre Association Maxwell Benson
Chimphinga is reiterating that lack of funding continues to retard arts in the
country, a development described as denying opportunities for artists to earn a
living.
According to Chimphinga, while the country through both government and
the private sector continues making efforts to enhance the arts industry,
financial support remains far below what is needed for the industry to thrive.
He says that artists cannot grow their talent without financial support,
a development he says can only improve through urgent government intervention
by fully establishing the National Arts and Heritage Council (NAHEC) which he
says has potential to uplift the industry.
“The government is yet to appoint the board for the council, this
continues affecting operations for the council. How can the council secure
enough funding without the board to initiate its operations?” Chimphinga said.
He added, “the National Arts and Heritage Council (NAHEC) is a monumental
milestone in the cultural and creative sector but we need its full
implementation because we can only have it but not fully operational.”
On 13 September 2024, Malawi recorded a highly expected milestone in the
arts and cultural sector through the passing of the National Arts and Heritage
Bill by Parliament, which saw establishment of the National arts
and Heritage Council to enhance order and professional recognition to the
country's arts and culture sector.
But in his remarks, Director for the department of arts
in the ministry of youth, sports and culture Humphrey Mpondaminga says the
ministry is conducting consultation with officers working in various parastatal
bodies to establish a secretariat for the council before instituting the board.
Mpondaminga highlighted that the secretariat will be responsible for
developing proper agendas for the council's board.
” Plans have been there since last year. We have been working to
establish the secretariat. We cannot have the board without the secretariat to
oversee operations of the board.” Mpondaminga explained.
According to the ministry, the secretariat is expected to be operational
by August or September this year once all consultation processes come to
completion.
