Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has urged creatives to participate in this year’s Bulawayo Arts Festival (BAF) saying they are not leaving anyone behind.
In an interview with Standard Style, BCC senior public relations officer Nesisa Mpofu said the city will continue promoting arts, culture and heritage by working with different groups, offering spaces for rehearsals and holding of shows, supporting festivals in different forums.
“The biggest of the city’s responsibilities is to continue with the Bulawayo Day celebrations and Bulawayo Arts Festival (BAF) in June where we are planning to profile the diverse culture that we proudly host in and around Bulawayo and give platform for different craft producers to showcase their wares and products,” Mpofu said.
“This year’s edition of BAF will see various performances across the city and we are calling on all creatives to participate as we are leaving no one behind.”
Mpofu said they were also spearheading various initiatives to promote arts and culture in Bulawayo and also working with various stakeholders in developing the Bulawayo Township Tourism Trail.
“The city is working with various stakeholders in developing the Bulawayo Township Tourism Trail which is targeting promotion of sites like the City Hall Wishing Well, City Hall Curios Market, J M Nkomo Statue, MaDlodlo, MaKhumalo beer gardens, Stanley Square and Stanley Hall, Mukambo herbal market, Mzilikazi Arts and Craft Centre as well as Bulawayo Home Industries.
“The trail is also targeting to profile the culture of Bulawayo through the Makokoba township home experience. Community-based tourism plays a vital role in Zimbabwe’s national economy and social development.”
Mpofu said BAF is also key in managing and preserving the shared natural resources and cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible.
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“The City of Bulawayo is also working on maintaining the functionality of the Mzilikazi Arts Centre as a School of Art,” she said.
“Although enrolment is not at optimum, we still have classes which undergo a year's programme and through the efforts of the city’s human capital department, the school is undergoing a process of restructuring and upgrading of the curriculum.
“The Mzilikazi School of Art has also been included in the Community-Based Tourism Package as it has always received visitors from schools, colleges, universities on educational tours including local, regional and international visitors on general tours.”
