St. Peters Kubatana Training Centre in Highfield, Harare has launched an arts and culture department that will see the institution dedicating in a big way space and resources to the arts and culture programmes.
The new Arts and Culture department at the centre is meant to help students who have interest in pursuing Arts as a career, as well as members of their local community who are into arts and cultural projects but have no formal appreciation of the same, neither do they have decent space for practice and showcasing their talent.
Speaking at the launch that was attended by prominent ‘urban grove’ musicians Alexio Kawara and Leonard Mapfumo, and a host of arts groups from around Harare, the Director of St Peters’ Kubatana said arts is a huge industry and therefore does warrant that they invest in it.
As a sign of their investment into the arts and culture department, the Head of the school, Mr Chiromba announced that three more teachers will join the department so that arts and culture programs are given due attention.
Speaking at the same function, musician Alexio Kawara, who had belted out his popular tunes to the excitement of the huge gathering,mainly made up of students from the school, said when he was growing up, he never had an opportunity to interact with formal arts and culture institutions, because people of his generation always thought arts is for loafers.
“I would like to urge you today to take arts seriously. As an artist, I am able to provide for my wife and my daughter through arts.” Alexio challenged those who have an inclination towards arts to take that seriously for that could be their source of livelihood, besides entertaining people.
Zenzo Zenkosi the founder of COOLZEE family of arts based in Glen Norah applauded this initiative since it is going to bring local artist on lime light. COOLZEE comprises of different performers in drama, music and dance
“I really appreciate what St Peters’ Kubatana has done because it has been hectic for upcoming performers of poet, music and drama to do something that is appreciated but I believe that through this platform, a lot is expected” he said.
St Peter’s Kubatana is popular for training young people in both academic and non-academic disciplines that include welding, sewing and motor mechanics.