Mr Elvas Mari has been appointed as substantive Director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ). The announcement was made in a press statement by the NACZ board chairperson, Dr Thokozile Chitepo, received by The Zimbo Jam on November 25 2009.

Mr Mari has been acting director of the council since the retiring of former Director, Mr Titus Chipangura, in November last year.

The appointment is effective from 2nd November 2009.

Born in Bikita in 1964, Mr Mari holds a Master of Education (Curriculum Studies) Degree (1996) and a Bachelor of Arts General Degree (1985), both from the University of Zimbabwe. He also holds a number of other qualifications, including a Post Graduate Diploma in Education.

Mr Mari joined the National Arts Council in 2002. He is married to Meria and they have four children, Nyasha, Tapiwa, Vimbiso and Tavonga.

He began his career as a teacher at Mashoko High School in his home area, Bikita in the late eighties. In 1990 he moved to the then Literature Bureau and later to the Curriculum Development Unit (CDU) as a Principal Writer.

Later, he joined the then Chinhoyi Technical Teachers’ College as a Principal Lecturer.

When he joined the National Arts Council,  he came on board as Assistant Director (Arts Promotion and Development) and then in 2005 was promoted to Deputy Director, a post he has held until his present appointment.

Mr Mari is a published writer of a series of Shona Textbooks for Secondary Schools, Kodzero 1-4, and two poetry anthologies, Madirativhange and Muti Usina Zita.

During his years at the National Arts Council he has made significant contributions to the development of flagship arts and culture programmes, including the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA), Culture Week, Jikinya Dance Festival, The Arts Development Fund, Artist Voices, Provincial Arts Festivals and The Jerusarema Mbende Intangible Heritage Project.

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Tino   |2009-11-26 02:39:43 Congratulations Mr Mari. We look forward to working with you! Reply 0   0

Elvas Mari  - Director   |2009-11-26 05:09:58 Thank you and I also look forward to getting more ideas - those that we can implement for the good of the arts. Reply 0   0

Felistas L Moyo   |2009-11-26 02:40:58 It's about time. I hope this gives you the added impetus to push for more programmes to benefit artists in Zimbabwe. We need real support from the Government. Reply 0   0

Elvas Mari   |2009-11-26 05:13:20 Thank you. Indeed we should now come together for the good of the arts and culture industry. Lets also pull our resources; ideas, financial and human and start something for ourselves and NOT rely ENTIRELY on others doing things for us. Thanks for the good words Reply 0   0

JKL   |2009-11-26 02:43:14 IDEA FOR MR MARI: The NACZ needs to work closely with the corporate world to get funding and sponsorships for artists. There is money out there but people want to associate with professional entities. Look at how HIFA has managed to get so much corporate support. ORGANISATION. Reply 0   0

Elvas Mari   |2009-11-26 05:19:30 Thank you for the good ideas. I will commit myself to serve the sector and get all good ideas that work to benefit the artists. I should also point out that as NACZ we don't look at HIFA as a competitor but actually help them to make those funds for the good of the artists, which by the way we have been doing for HIFA over the years as we believe it is NOT necessary glory seeking but what benefits the artists. If funders are happy to put money in HIFA or any other entity for that matter and not NACZ we will work with that entity and ensure that artists get that benefit. I commit myself to dialogue with all stakeholders and ensure we develop this sector. Thank you once again for the good ideas, lets keep them flowing. Reply 0   0

DJ Samson   |2009-11-26 02:52:47 As far as I'm concerned the NAC has not been doing much for artists. We are suffering as if we are in a foreign land when we are in our home country. Reply 0   0

Elvas Mari   |2009-11-26 05:25:08 DJ Samson We at NACZ are sorry to know you are suffering, and we would like to thank you for letting the public know. We however would be very glad to hear from you how you would like us to assist you and where we can, I would like to assure you that it is our wish to ensure that we empower our artists not to suffer as if they are in a foreign country. I would like to believe that the suffering you are referring to is outside what Zimbabweans have gone through due to the challenges that the country has been going through that has affected all facets of people's social lives. Thank you for communicating and please visit or get in touch with our offices and lets talk and find a way forward. Reply 0   0

Whiley   |2009-11-26 07:26:20 That's an exxageration Samson. True there is much to be done, but there have been some steps taken to assist artists. Artists at the same time should not see themselves as charity cases that need constant handouts. Reply 0   0

Tawanda   |2009-11-27 04:22:29 Congratulations Mr Mari! We wish you success. Reply 0   0

Clayton Ndlovu  - Mr   |2010-01-13 07:15:29 Amhlophe, Makorokoto Mfowethu. Good luck in your new tittle. We love NACZ we will support this noble organization even though isingapiwe mari yakakwana. In any case vatipa Mari wacho kuti atungamire. Saka tinozvikudza izvozvo. Reply 0   0

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