Call for creative students recognition
Thubelihle Wellington Ncube
Students have petitioned government to recognise and promote creativity among students.
The plea was made during a discussion organised by the Zimbabwe Young Graduates and Youth Development Forum held Wednesday at the College of Creative Arts-Africa in Bulawayo.
The discussion which was graced by multi-award winner, actor and film producer Percy Shoko was dubbed ‘Rebuilding A Resilient & Sustainable Zimbabwean Economy in Challenging Times Through Entrepreneurship & Innovation.’
‘We feel as though the arts industry has been largely ignored especially in terms of developing the film and arts industry. We need our own television stations to be upgraded so that the quality of content we produce can be consumed by local viewers,” said Mellissa, a student at the institution.
Designed to re-ignite the fire in upcoming artists, the program revealed mixed feelings among the young artists.
‘Artists are the jesters of the community. They play a crucial eye-opening role and act as watchdogs and societal voices. If that voice is not supported, how will Vision 2030 be achieved or development of the nation be achieved,’ quizzed Melusi Mhlanga.
Mhlanga added that if the government could act on the call for intervention in the arts sector, it would gain the trust of youths which could culminate in addressing other issues such as voter apathy, drug abuse and unwanted pregnancies.
