TODAY I make my final appraisal of 2014, undeniably closing the twelve months of theatre activities – there were wicked and virtuous times, failed events and successful ones – but before I make my ultimate observations, let me allow one AcksonTembo to lead by giving his opinion in what he says were his impressions of 2014.
Writes the Chingola-based theatre critic Ackson Tembo, “At this time and age, for me the driver for theatre arts should be the nurturing of the abundant theatre in the hope of giving it the commercial dimension. Talent turned into money.’’
Ackson goes on, ‘’For me I consider the devising and launching of the two year strategic plan by the Ministry of Tourism and Arts to be top on the list of achievements during the year 2014. The plan is of immense importance as it defines what we want to do, why we want to do it, when we are going to do it, who is going to do it, where we shall do it and what and how we are going to do it. Further, the Ministry came out and gave direct financial support to the National Theatre Arts Association of Zambia – NATAAZ – this gave a major boost to the successful hosting of the 2014 NATAAZ Festival at Lusaka Playhouse.
“The fact that the major festival was largely comprised, and competed for by young people – a good ingredient that there is a future in theatre arts in Zambia. Further, we saw graduates in theatre arts coming out of the Zambia Open University for the first time – training of theatre artistes at University level has always been critical to the development of the arts in Zambia.
“Chingola Arts Society (CAS) continued to be a very active theatre club and held the 25th Banham Annual Awards at which deserving theatre artistes were rewarded for their efforts. Other clubs should emulate what CAS has continued to do.”
Ackson, who is ABET Arts Newsletter editor, an online publication goes on to say, “the ABET Newsletter clocked 12 years running as an informative and authoritative monthly newsletter primarily talking about theatre, and is circulated regularly electronically to over five hundred readers on a monthly basis locally and abroad.
“The Arts, Cultural and Heritage Draft Bill could have been enacted, but some setback cropped in, and I feel this was the only major setback in 2014. Concrete action is needed to ensure this Bill is prioritized and enacted in the first quarter of this year of 2015.
“The non-holding of the Ngoma Awards for the third time in succession was another drawback. Started as a wonderful idea, the rate at which the non-hosting of the Ngoma Awards, sadly risks going into oblivion.
“On the other hand, we still have a backlog in some big theatre houses RADOS theatre in Luanshya and Ndola’s Lowenthal – this could spell the death of theatre in these clubs compounded by the lack of exchange of plays between theatre clubs. And the  reported continued non-holding of general meetings at the major theatre house in Zambia; Lusaka Play House was not a good governance practice!” ends Ackson Tembo.
Meanwhile, I want to echo what one local musician Roberto Banda lamented on following the death of music icon popularly known as P’Jay recently. P’Jay’s death laid bare the challenges that artistes face despite their fame.
Roberto, meantime riding high with his song Amarulah said there was need for a trust fund to be set up or a policy drafted to be formulated which would compel to assist artistes in the face of sickness and tragedy.
“Marvin of B3 also died while clinging to survive. Both were waiting for someone who claimed loved their works to help them,” Roberto, who is also a radio disc jockey, said.
“But like the many others, we only show up at the burial site to give a speech and our lives continue thereafter. Sad but true, our government flies in and out when emergency is on the rise.
Roberto believes a trust fund should be coordinated for all the artistes who may need help, and adds, “I’m not asking for a pay-out. I am saying as artistes trough our governing arts associations and other bodies, we set up a fund that will help us; using our own money raised from our own talents and skills. Money for holograms should not just go to government. The Zambia Music Copyright Protection Society can be chipped in.”
Roberto, I agree with you that most local artistes, and other renown colleagues  may not be good at saving funds so a management team that goes in this line  would meaningfully be welcome.
Even though Roberto feels artists are abused in political circles, I believe the artistes themselves should be blamed; there is a lot of education needed for all the artistes, otherwise, it is a hand-to-mouth situation. However, point taken Roberto.
To wind up, bravo to NATAAZ, for the successful workshop help in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration held at Fairview Hotel in Lusaka. Having attended this workshop, I discovered there is a lot theatre artistes can be empowered to achieve. My concern is after such a workshop, what then? There is need for followup activities that would help track events, and purposefully improve the standards of the arts.
One concern is on scriptwriting, which I have always believed is the nascent and essential backbone of both song and theatre. Poorly written plays discourage patronage, hence festivals should regularly table if there is any improvement in this area.
I must mention that Elton Nyirenda’s revival of Chengelo International School drama group in Mkushi with a highly inspirational musical Tiyende Pamodzi the Musical was another classic welcome in 2014. The story added to Zambia’s Golden Jubilee celebrations as the story recollected events in politics, social, economic, cultural through song and dance the past 50 years – very enriching with Elton’s great efforts.
Further I consider the confirmation of Adrian Chipindi as director of the National Arts Council as good news. Not that I personally favor Adrian, but I feel, he is simple, and easy to mingle with – he is such a responsive; open, receptive, easy, reactive, approachable fellow who many artistes feel auspiciously gives answers even when he has no money to help solve arts associations’ giant of problems.
Welcome to 2015, and let me hear from theatre clubs of the plans for this year.
John.kapesa818@yahoo.co.uk – 09550967-0977-710975