By Pemphero Malimba:
Parliament has passed bill Number 21, National Arts and Heritage, which seeks to promote the creative and heritage industry in the country.
Drafted in 2015, the bill has been passed with an amendment on the need for international artists only to provide notification on their upcoming performance 60 days prior to their performance.
Initially, the 60 day period was targeting both local and international artists.
- Advertisement -
But some members objected to it, arguing that the 60-day period could affect local artists economically.
- Advertisement -
Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda described the bill as pivotal to the development of the arts and culture industry.
“The bill is a game changer for our artists in the country as it will help to empower our artists,” he said.
Speaking earlier while debating on the bill, United Democratic Front (UDF) lawmaker Esther Jolobala said she had reservations with some components of the bill which highlights the need for cultural groupings to register with the government.
Jolobala argued that the component promotes divisions among people of various tribal groupings.
- Advertisement -
But Chimwendo hinted that the bill would not bring divisions in the country.
“Our colleagues thought the bill is there to regulate cultural activities in the country. The bill only asks for the registration of the cultural heritages and groupings in the country but we cannot exist without knowing the cultural groupings which are across the country,” Chimwendo Banda said.
Patron for the National Arts and Heritage Bill taskforce Eric Trinta said he was pleased with the passing of the bill.
“We are very happy because it has been a long fight,” Trinta said.
He said the arts and culture industry in Malawi has been facing numerous challenges due to the absence of the bill.
“As Malawi we have been failing because we did not have this law and we know for sure that the moment every artist, every cultural grouping and creative industry are supported through the national budget, Malawi will never be the same,” he said.
The bill proposes a comprehensive legal framework for the development and promotion of the creative and heritage industry in Malawi by among others establishing the National Arts and Heritage.
Among other things, the bill provides for the establishment of the National Arts and Heritage Council whose powers shall include giving grants to players in the creative and heritage industry and enforce guidelines for standards of the creative and heritage sector.
The council will be tasked to develop and promote the creative and heritage industry in Malawi through coordinate programmes in the industry, creating opportunities for networking and marketing of products and services from creative and heritage industry and construct and manage infrastructure for the sector.
It will also promote research, learning and knowledge programmes and manage the National Arts and Heritage Promotion Fund.
