One major thing that has been lacking at the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe among other factors is a robust will to promote the cultural and creative sector in the country.

Whilst on paper it is written that one of the institutions mandates is to promote the sector, reality speaks otherwise.

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More money is actually paid by stakeholders to the NACZ through various fees and taxes and very little is given back to the sector by the same body. It has been viewed as an impediment to arts development by many who feel that it is just adding to the list of expenses one has to pay to host an event in the country.
A lot of noise has been made by stakeholders regards the calibre of people running the institution. Many view them as people who lack the tenacity to bring about the much-needed change that will help the country realise the millions if not billions of dollars locked in the sector.

In the midst of all this drama, the NACZ on Wednesday made two new appointments to its team.

Barbara Gotore is now the Assistant Director Arts Promotions and Development, while Rodney Ruwende is now the Communication and Marketing Manager.

The question is will Gotore be able to bring revival to the institution seeing that her portfolio covers things to do with initiating programmes for the development and promotion of the arts sector? Or it is just another gap filled with no real impact on the sector?

Only time will tell.

Gotore joins the NACZ from the Public Service Commission (PSC) where she was a government consultant in public sector reforms working with both state and private entities. She is an expert in developing strategic plans, Human resources and Customer service.

A certified Results-Based Management (RBM) Trainer – she has over 13 years of High School teaching experience in the creative arts. She holds a Masters Degree in Public Sector Management, a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Communication Studies and a Bachelor of Education degree.

Meanwhile, Ruwende joins the council from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) where he was a Presenter and Senior Executive Producer for Classic 263 Radio. He holds a Masters degree in Public Policy and Development Management, a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Political Science and a National Diploma in Mass Communication. He is tasked with developing a robust stakeholder and media engagement strategy to raise the visibility of the council, its programmes and the sector at large.