Murmures

The following article was originally published in the DailyNews

Written by Dudiziwe Nhliziyo

Culture Expert Pathisa Nyathi says the primary and secondary education ministry has to speed up efforts to make arts and culture a key part of the curriculum.

Nyathi told a culture revival indaba here that it was important for culture and arts to be introduced and implemented during children’s formative years.

The ministry of Primary and Secondary education has initiated a programme to mainstream arts and culture into the education sector through the curriculum development unit.

“People have a tendency of denigrating their culture; as such we become a laughing stock to the outside world as Zimbabweans tend to distance themselves from their culture,” Nyathi told delegates to the indaba held under the theme: Towards the turnaround for a professional creative sector.

He said primary and secondary schools have to play key roles in the cultural revival efforts.

“Yes, most African nations share the same culture but there is something uniquely Zimbabwean about our culture and it needs to be preserved. Arts is not just about dancing; dancing is cultural and it communicates meaning, it is a cultural expression, “he said.

He added that relevant arts and culture material was available at Amagugu International Heritage Centre to help children learn more about the Ndebele culture. The heritage centre provides help both historical and the heritage of the Ndebele.

“Institutions like these must be be used by everyone inorder to create a cultural conscious society. Culture is not about being Ndebele neither is it about being Shona but it is about being Zimbabwean whether it is in Matebeleland or Mashonaland, the Zimbabwean culture must be preserved,” Nyathi said.

The respected culture fundi appealed to the education ministry to come up with an approach that will manage the strategy effectively.

“As Amagugu we have the competence and qualifications hence we can assist schools with the teaching material”, he said.