Creatives on Friday called upon the government to expedite the operationalisation of National Arts and Heritage Council (Nahec).
The creatives—who included musicians, filmmakers and writers—have since demanded action.
They say once Nahec starts, it would be key to funding, training and marketing, which would help creative sector players.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting at Mponera in Dowa District on Friday, Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) President Vita Chirwa said the government needed to walk the talk by funding Nahec.
“We have waited too long since Parliament passed the National Arts and Heritage Act in 2024. Now we need to move from paperwork to implementation,” Chirwa said.
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He said once Nahec takes off, it will help in empowering musicians and the creative sector.
Film Association of Malawi (Fama) President Dorothy Kingston said Nahec would bridge the gap between artists and the government.
“We, filmmakers, struggle to market our productions beyond premieres and, so, with Nahec, we will be able attract industry expertise and expose our filmmakers to international platforms,” Kingston said.
Malawi Writers Union (Mawu) President Shadreck Chikoti also said Nahec needed to start operations.
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Chikoti has since welcomed the draft strategic plan but described the target of training and offering grants to 500 artists by 2031 as too low.
“We have many artists now; so, if the number is increased, it could be much better,” the author of Azotus the Kingdom said.
Nahec Implementation Taskforce Chairperson Ron Muphuwa said the creative industry was key to elevating the country’s economy.
“We, as an industry, contribute so much to the gross domestic product (Mum) and, if properly coordinated, we are talking about [making a contribution of] 3.6 percent,” Muphuwa said.
He said Nahec was expected to rollout operations before the end of 2026 once a nine member board was appointed and staff members were recruited.
“Our duty is to be the bridge between the government and various sectors in order to help people understand how much the creative sector can contribute. We are spearheading the process so that the secretariat is set up,” Muphuwa said.
Principal Secretary for Administration in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Francis Zhuwao said Nahec would transform the country’s creative and heritage industries.
He confirmed that the government had allocated K708 million to the cause in the 2025-26 budget.
“We are finalizing [the] appointment of the board and recruitment of staff. We want to see to it that the arts and heritage sector is fully functional,” Zhuwao said.
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has been engaging stakeholders to review progress and provide input on the draft strategic plan.
