Coltart not suitable for arts and culture – Mzembi

Sunday News

27 November

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Engineer Walter Mzembi has said it was unfair for the Movement of Democratic Change (MDC-N) to burden Senator David Coltart with running the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, as he has very little knowledge of the cultural discipline of the portfolio because of his background.

Speaking in Bulawayo on Wednesday last week, Eng Mzembi said although he had nothing personal against Sen Coltart, he felt there was an oversight on the part of MDC-N and the principals in the Inclusive Government on the important cultural discipline that he was let to preside over when it was clear that he has little appreciation of that aspect as he was from a culture alien to Zimbabwe.

“Although Sen Coltart may not say so himself, I felt giving him that ministry with the important culture aspect was n oversight on the part of the Inclusive Government. They looked at the wholesome education and trivialised the culture aspect which is an important cog at the ministry.

“Those are some of the clear iniquities of the Inclusive Government and perhaps that is why there is so much talk of it having failed the nation and the incessant call to wrap it up,” said Minister Mzembi.

He said President Mugabe could have noticed the anomaly but he had no latitude to refuse the MDC their preferred candidate for that portfolio.

“The issue is that Dave (Sen David Coltart) is a white man. He belongs to a minority by was tasked with presiding over the blacks’ divergent cultures. It is obvious that he has little knowledge and appreciation of the importance of our culture and as a result is doing little in improving that discipline which when properly promoted will give some impetus to the tourism sector as well.

“It was just unfair for him. I am however, positive that all those anomalies will be dealt with by President Mugabe next year when he puts in place a Cabinet that will not be inclusive as I am sure that Zanu-PF is going to win the forthcoming elections with a thud,” sad Eng Mzembi.

Sen Coltart, however, said he felt he was working hard to balance all the disciplines that fall in the ambit of his portfolio.

He said the people involved in those disciplines were the ones who were best able to judge his performance so far.

“I think it is not ok for me to comment on those allegations. I will not be able to judge myself. It is better, therefore, that you get a comment from the people directly involved in the arts and culture disciplines of the ministry,” he said.

Amakhosi director, Mr Continueloving Mhlanga, gave substance to Eng Mzembi’s assertions saying the arts were not fully represented.

He said there was gross marginalisation of the arts and culture disciplines in the country something he said was leading to the retarded growth of the industry.

“I used to believe that the marginalisation of arts and culture was perpetuated be people from Bambazonke (Harare). Now I have come to realise that even ministers from this region are not better. The arts and culture have continued to suffer from neglect and the description of our predicament by Oliver Mtukudzi that the problem faced with the arts and culture industry in the country is that of attitude is apt.

“For the record Minister Coltart went to china and was given some arts instruments that he gave to an upper class institution that is patronised by whites. We thought he was going to give the instruments to an institution that nurtures talent from the poor, to people who cannot afford to buy guitars for themselves but he did just the opposite and that clearly shows the attitude problem and the levels of marginalisation that we in the arts and culture industry continue to be subjected to. Whether it is the Treasury or our own ministry we don’t know but the bottom line is that there is very little representation,” said Mr Mhlanga.

He added that it was shocking how the arts and culture disciplines were financially crippled saying the authorities continue to show their neglect by inadequately financing the disciplines.

He said despite the high levels of education of the ministers they continue to overlook the arts and culture industry because they have  no appreciation of the disciplines.

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