The National Arts Council in Midlands (NACZ) Gweru is playing a pivotal role in promoting the arts industry among the youngsters. Keith Zenda a 21 year old painter believed that hardworking, acknowledgement and devotion to God is all what it takes for one to prosper in all his endeavors, be it social, economic and religious.
Keith was born and bred in the city of Gweru, in Mkoba 17 and did part of his primary education in Chirumanzu before attending Mambo High for secondary education. In response to the question where it all started: Keith told Caven Masuku that, “painting started by drawing of cartoons in books and boards in 1997 when he was doing grade 6. He realized this talent in 2001, after devoting himself to the End Times Message under Pastor Martin Gumbura.
Painting and drawing like music pervades and permeates all areas of social, public and private issues. Painting perpetuate culture since it includes everything that occurs in a society; that is customs, beliefs, values and artifacts that can be handed down from one generation to another.
Zenda a painter revealed to Caven Masuku that he is a breadwinner and is the first born out of a family of six. He started selling his paintings in 2003 and people highly appreciate his works even beyond boards. “I got this talent from God’s assurance that say’s: “I will bless the work of your hands and I trust that with God everything is possible”, said Keith.
“Painting has become full time business and the market is good in Botswana, Mozambique and I am heading to South Africa where there is good opportunity for big galleries”, said Keith. “Last week I was in South Africa, Cape Town for a gallery and they wanted me to sign a contract. One of my associates refrained me from doing that since this was to throw me to servitude and South Africans are taking advantage of Zimbabweans desperations”, said Keith with a beaming face.
Keith told Masuku that he once sealed a deal with Richard Rains which flopped because of economic constraints. Most people appreciate arts especially painting but do not have enough resources to purchase equipments. He also added that in Zimbabwe arts is not and are not getting any support from the government. He revealed that government should actually allocate budget for arts, just like the farming sector. Keith has it that arts can bring vast foreign currency in the country.
Most artists in the Midlands are looking for immense support from the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe. Keith had made a lot of paintings for the National Arts Council in Gweru and what could be highly recognized by the Arts Council Officials are the paintings which he made for 2006 Midlands Show. This shows that young Zimbabweans are talented and capable of doing many activities that can generate income.
Artist of different genres strongly requested the National Arts Council to assist them by providing a platform that will enable them to showcase their artistic prowess to the public.
“Lack of unity among artist and distancing themselves from National Arts Council is causing an untold damage among the artist. Like in Bulawayo where artists are united, Gweru should also do the same”, said Keith. He further requested the NACZ to help in enabling them acquire money for loans from the banks to support their works.
The festive season for 2009 has left the arts industry bleeding, as most artists flee to neighboring countries. Most artists have relocated to South Africa and Botswana. Gweru is a melting pot of arts just like Bulawayo. Bulawayo is rich in arts just like the South African counterparts in the Zulu province. In Zimbabwe they are no any other place that is rich in arts and culture like Bulawayo. The culture of Ndebele s automatically makes its people to be extra-ordinary in arts activities
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