Zim Artists: The Unprotected “Cattle” of the Economy

Written by : Fred Farai Nyakudanga FFF

In the agricultural sector, farmers take great care to raise their cattle, providing fences, nutritious feed, and veterinary care to ensure healthy and valuable animals. The government supports these efforts through regulations, disease management, and infrastructure development. The goal is to produce high-quality beef and dairy products for local consumption and export.

In contrast, Zimbabwe’s artists are like stray cattle, lacking protection, regulation, and support. Despite their significant contribution to the economy, they operate in a Wild West-like environment, with no boundaries or guidelines. The industry’s lack of regulation leads to unfiltered content, often vulgar and harmful to society.

From infrastructure to copyright protection, artists are left to fend for themselves. There are a few notable exceptions, such as the Oliver Mtukudzi’s Pakare Paye project, which has achieved remarkable success. A handful of musicians have emerged from this initiative, and if the government had replicated this model, countless more artists would be vying for airplay.

The government has a plethora of initiatives under its purview, including the recently proposed national dress. This project has the potential to generate significant revenue through manufacturing, marketing, and awareness campaigns. At every stage, artists can play a vital role, leveraging their creative talents to reap financial benefits.

By promoting the national dress project, we can reduce our reliance on imported clothing labels that benefit foreign countries, rather than our own. This shift could significantly reduce the outflow of foreign currency and redirect it towards our local artists, potentially transforming their livelihoods. By supporting our own creative industry, we can retain wealth within our borders and empower our artists to contribute meaningfully to our economy.

Leaving artists to create and sell their personal messages without support or guidance is akin to abandoning them, despite the fact that society is the ultimate beneficiary of their work. When artists are left to push their own narratives without regulation or oversight, it can lead to misinformation and misguided messages that impact society as a whole.

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