AMAKHOSI'S DRIVE TO ATTRACT ACADEMIA
By Ntombi Moyo - posted 21/03/09
In an endeavor to promote arts as a serious business Amakhosi is going all out to the next level where they want
to shift the perception in Zimbabwe that the arts industry is mainly for school drop outs and to that of it being of academics
and achievers.
A campaign spearheaded by Amakhosi to attract graduates
in the field of arts is reaching fever pitch. The main aim of this campaign is to enable Zimbabwe to start touring the
right people with the right skills, people who will be captains of the arts industry for the country to positions of arts
administration and technical production jobs within cultural institutions in the country's Culture Sector. Currently the
situation is desperate with the sector dominated by self taught personnel at these jobs. This has come with a lot of
disadvantages for the sector.
So far the Cultural center has managed
to attract the likes of Claytus Moyo a graduate from the University of Zimbabwe who is currently furthering his studies
with Wits University in South Africa. He is expected back at Amakhosi in the near future to undertake the position of Theater
Academic Director and Trainer.
Another academic that Amakhosi has
managed to lure is Sisa Khumalo who is the current resident Director at Amakhosi acting for Claytus Moyo. Her presence
at the center is already being felt as she is currently working with film students on a project called Uguluva.
An international scholarship is being sought by Amakhosi from where ever possible for
Ms Sisa Khumalo to further her knowledge in the field in more advanced programs.
Arts graduates and anyone trained in the field of arts and with a passion for the Zimbabwean Arts industry can get
in touch with Founder and Director of Amakhosi Cont Mhlanga to find out how they can be a part of this most important drive.
Umukhulu Lo Msebenzi
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Amakhosi Khami Prison Rehab Program Through Arts – posted 12/11/2008
Saturday
the 8th of November was a special afternoon at Amakhosi Center where the 44 Khami Prison inmates thronged the township
venue to present what most people in the audience referred to as the Show of the Year. ‘It is like these inmates artists
do not come from Zimbabwe. They are excellent. It’s a long time since we saw a well costumed performance in Zimbabwe’
admitted Mr. Nyandoro the local programs officer of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
This was the first time prisoners were allowed out
of prison to come out to the township to present a public performance. This was at the award presentation of the performing
groups that participated in voices for change program of the Dreams to Fame series under the theme ‘Say It Like You
Feel It’ held at Amakhosi on Saturday. Nine groups got recognition for their best work and presentations that took part
from May to October 2008 in the seven talent zones of Bulawayo.
How ever the day belonged to the inmates who presented a refreshing drama piece tailored in music,
song and dance. The play was written by the inmates produced and directed by Cont Mhlanga.
Mhlanga spent three weeks working with the inmates at Khami Prison in
an Amakhosi Outreach Program in partnership with the Khami Prison Rehab Program.
Izethekeli perform imbube music, Shanduko performs traditional Dance while Khasa performs
drama and contemporary township dance. The inmates from the three prisons of Khami Maximum, Khami Medium and Mlondolozi the
female prison who are under the rehab program through arts by Amakhosi gave a well polished account of themselves and had
good advice to the youths in the audience to encourage them to stay away from crime.
During 2009 they will be recording three albums and videos while still in prison with
Amakhosi as most of them are serving long sentences. The program is planning on more public performances.
