Government has set aside K200 million for the construction of a culture village which is aimed at promoting artists and culture activities in Kafue district.
Ministry of Community Development Director of Cultural Services Wesley Kaonga said since artists have formed an association that would promote art and culture in the district, the ministry would release more than K200 million to the district.
He said this today when he addressed scores of Kafue based artists and cultural practitioners during a meeting held at the District Commissioners office.
Mr. Kaonga said government would not fund individuals because it was difficult to account for funds and resources from individuals.
He noted with gladness that for the first time, artists and cultural practitioners in Kafue have come together to form an association which would act as an umbrella body to all the artists and dancers in Kafue.
Mr. Kaonga wondered why the district has been lagging behind in terms of arts and culture when it has a lot of good infrastructure and talented artists who could contribute to the development of the economy.
He expressed happiness that some artists in Kafue have ventured into the film and carving industry.
He said Zambia has been offered an exhibition stand in South Africa where various Zambian products would be displayed and promoted during the 2010 world cup period in June and July this year.
Mr. Kaonga said he would be happy if some products from Kafue could be exhibited at the Zambian stand in South Africa during the world cup soccer tournament.
He added that government is committed to improving the welfare of artists in the country, adding that for this reason, government has constructed a modern 700 sitter theatre in Livingstone.
And speaking at the same function District Culture Welfare Officer Edward Kampeshi urged the artists to work together for them to grow in their industry.
Mr. Kampeshi has since appealed to the local authority to offer its community hall where artists could be meeting to perform various shows in order to generate funds.
ZANIS
This is a long time coming GRZ investment**==**==8->
WHY NOT START WITH BUILDING DRAINAGES IN LUSAKA AND OTHER CITIES? OR IS IT BECAUSE BUILDING CULTURAL VILLAGE IS THE SIMPLEST TASK?
Spelling check in the headline: “to build” and not “to built”
…otherwise, this is positive news for Kafue. Let’s just hope the project will go hand in hand with other equally important projects like good sanitation and clean environment for the town. What good would a cultural village be in a cholera infested area?
:-?, arent there much more urgent issues,
Kafue can be turned into the countries capital, atleast it its still not as messed up as Lusaka, we can take advantage of the the river and have a beautiful city there. Zambia is just a country full of leaders with no dreams, they only think small…….:(its sad