Friday, March 29, 2024

Don’t politicise your industry President Lungu urges Artists

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President Lungu
President Lungu

President Edgar Lungu says government recognises the creative Arts as a job creating industry.

Speaking when the National Arts Council paid a courtesy call on him at State House yesterday, the Head of State said the industry has the potential to contribute to job creation opportunities in the country.

President Lungu appealed to the artists to take advantage of the conducive environment government has provided and put their talents to use and develop the sector.

He called for the artists to use the different skills to unite the country and not champion negative views.

‘Let us not politicize the arts or align artist with political parties, if artists are running a commercial, let it be known that it is merely a commercial or advertisement”, he said.

The Head of State urged the National Arts Council to highlight the nation on the importance of arts in order for people to appreciate the sector.

President Edgar Lungu explained that the creative arts are a form of expression hence the need to respect freedom of expression.

And National Arts Council of Zambia Chairperson Patrick Samwimbila commended President Lungu for supporting the growth and development of the creative arts industry through different laws and pronouncements.

Mr Samwimbila stated that the conducive environment created by government has accorded artists support for to work hard and earn a living from the profession.

He noted that the country is endowed with many talented artists who are contributing significantly to the growth of the sector.

Mr Samwimbila explained that NAC has taken ownership of 2019 as the year of the arts as NAC turns 25 years this year.

He said different programs have been set up throughout the year and will be celebrated under the theme “celebrating and investing in arts”.

Mr Samwimbila added that the celebrations will woo investors to come on board and support the development of arts in income generation and employment creation.

He stated that the celebrations will highlight the country’s identity through different expressions.

Mr Samwimbila disclosed that NAC has since honored President Lungu as the 2019 champion of the arts for the efforts rendered in supporting the creative industry in Zamba.

6 COMMENTS

  1. The Arts Industry has the potential to contribute to the growth of the economy, unfortunately our artists can’t produce works that can sell. We are still importing many productions because our artists have failed to give us local productions. They are comfortable doing solo works some of which compete anywhere. People are willing to pay for entertainment so the sector has potential to spin money. You can’t be everything, incorporate writers and directors and other professionals to help grow the industry otherwise you will still continue to beg for support from Govt while Koffie Olomide, Fally Ipupa, etc come in and rake monies. Some Nigerian movies are out of taste, so put your act together and be counted!

    • Your advice is correct but Zambia doesn’t have the professionals you have cited in your post. This is what we mean when we say government must support the arts Industry. It’s not just about money.
      It’s about establishing institutions that can provide directors, producers, arrangers, managers, marketers for the industry. As it is artists are improvising on all these. That’s why you will find one is a singer, composer, producer, marketer even if he has only one skill. Don’t misunderstand me, some artists have all these skills but it’s not everyone who has

  2. If by politicize Lungu means don’t have a political opinion he can hung. Artists can have an opinion on politics and on anything.Songs do assist social revolution
    They should just not align themselves to political parties because they become propagandists if they do.

  3. If they align to his party then its not politics.f they align with the other politicians then its politics. You can not foo.l all the people all the time

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