Interview with Leofold Ndemera (Stone Sculptor) at the Chitungwiza Art Centre.

How did you get started as a stone sculptor?
I started stone sculpting some years ago when I dropped out of school after I faced challenges in paying school fees. So I moved to Chitungwiza where I lived with my uncle who was into stone sculpting at that time. I started by helping him in the workshop to do finishing touches on his pieces and later he taught me how to carve. It didn’t take me a long time to learn stone carving skills because I was passionate and I’m a fast learner.

Who has inspired you?
After both my parents died my grandfather raised me. So through the hardships I faced growing up I can say I inspired myself to be what I am today. I wanted to make a difference in my life so that my family will not live the same manner I was raised.

How would you describe your work environment?
Chitungwiza Art Center is a place, which was donated to artists by The National Arts Council in conjunction with United Nations Development Program. Artists here operate independently in terms of their sculpting techniques and their equipment, but pay a percentage of their turnover to the cooperative, which covers rent and other incidentals. Buyers of various types of art frequent the place making it a viable marketing place for art

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your business?
In my line of trade I think the biggest challenge I faced so far is marketing my artwork. Customers are not coming in the manner they used to and when they do come they are not paying prices which make my business sustainable.

How do you market you work?
I use the Internet … Facebook to be precise, and I also use volunteering activities to publicize my work.

Do you have other means of earning a living?
I only survive on stone art.

What philanthropic activities are you involved in as a way to give back to the less fortunate?
I train young children, especially orphans, in the basic skills of stone sculpting. I also donate my artwork to institutions. In 2009 I worked on a project with Maunganidze Children’s’ Home based in Chitungwiza. Under the project I trained children in stone sculpting so that by the time they leave the orphanage they will be able to sustain themselves through stone art. I am also hoping that if everything goes according to plan I will be teaching stone sculpting at Mother of Peace Children’s Center in Mutoko.

Your biggest wish?
My biggest wish is to be able to assist as many children as I can in stone art.

What are your main concerns as a stone sculptor?
I am more concerned by the fact that art is mostly appreciated by people who come from abroad than the local people. So my wish is to have more local people having a better understanding of art and appreciating it as well.

What is your biggest fear?
I fear that one day I will wake up not feeling fine and not being able to fend for my family.

Excerpted from the Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust bulletin number 31:

Selective Application of the Indigenization Policy

Hon Fani Munengami (MDC-T Glen View North) enquired on whether it was government policy to apply the Indigenization Act selectively as Chinese companies appeared to be spared as evidenced by ZIMASCO in which the Chinese had 73% ownership. The House was informed that the law was not being applied selectively and ZIMASCO had submitted its proposal even though management was arguing for exemption on the basis that Chinese were friends of Zimbabwe.

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A comment from the streets on the lifting of sanctions:

The EU has decided to lift targeted sanctions imposed on Mugabe and his cronies? No doubt to become major players in the economic life of Zimbabwe, no doubt to vie with the Chinese in resource plunder. Right time 4 them but betrayal for Zimbabwe. Oil the Zanu-PF machine and what future 4 democracy with a rejuvenated gerontocracy. With friends like these… truly sad. – Samir

With all things being equal for one to pass through the stages indicated in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs they need support from family, community and the government. When a child is born, they are provided with all basic needs by their parents or guardians and in some cases the government. They go to school when they reach school going age and proceed to university or college where later they find a job or venture into their own projects. This enables them to attain a social standing within the community thus they then move to the last stage of self-actualisation, which at times can be realised after a long period of time. In some communities every child is given the ability to go through these stages. This however, is not the case for young boys and girls in Zimbabwe’s ‘illegal’ settlement at Hatcliffe Extension.

The community has witnessed a number of evictions under Operation Murambatsvina, which has left the lives of young people marginalized. The lives of people are at threat due little or no access to basic needs such as shelter, food, education, clothing, health and sanitation. Young people growing up in such a community face various challenges. Speaking at a Food for Thought Session at the US Public Affairs Section this week, Petros Chatiza, the Programmes Coordinator of Young Achievement Sports for Development (YASD) highlighted that, when they pay fees for a pupil, the pupil can fail to make it to school because they have no access to proper food and proper health care. This shows that the challenges faced by young people interlace with each other. His organisation is thus embarking on bringing lasting change to the lives of the youths in the Hatcliffe Extension community through unconventional approaches.

The organisation states that is uses ‘unconventional approaches to move members from biological (basic) aspirations to self realisation’.  This is done through sports and arts among other activities. They provide a platform for young people to find their potential and makes use of their talents and in so doing find some level of self fulfilment. Street soccer is a main component, which they use to engage the community. As evident in any displaced community isolation can be a challenge faced by members. Hence street soccer tries to bring together every member of the community regardless of age and gender. This was a justification provided by YASD’s Information and Communication officer on why they chose soccer. The organisation now participates at the Homeless World Cup, which seeks to energise homeless people to change their lives.

Also speaking at the event were two participants from the community. Gwauya has ventured into theatre through taking part in YASD programmes in his community. He has also been privileged enough to take part in international activities representing homeless people. Emily, through her engagement in YASD’s sports programmes has undergone soccer coaching provided by one of Zimbabwe’s international based soccer players, Joel Lupahla. Today she is a coach at a local school. YASD was applauded for these testimonies. Such programmes that enable children growing up in vulnerable situations should be emulated. Thus through the work of YASD hundreds of Hatcliffe Extension’s young boys and girls are today inspired to change their lives, to live a better life and to develop their community!

The effects of forced migration due to economic and political crisis which affected the country a couple of years ago will soon become apparent in this year’s national population census. According to figures on the IndexMundi website, Zimbabwe’s population as of 2011 was estimated at around 12 084, 304. This figure may  be subjected to debate with some suggestions of figures around 15 million including those in the Diaspora.  The demographic changes are mainly attributed to the socio-economic and political crisis the country has faced in the last decade and this has resulted in mass migration of Zimbabweans to neighboring countries such as Botswana and South Africa with others going as a far as Europe and America. Census figures are vital to national planning and some development agencies rely on the figures for their development activities.  It is almost a decade now since the last census was held in the country and the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) is preparing to embark on the enumeration exercise in August this year. This year’s census is the fourth since the country attained its independence from Britain. The first census was held in 1982 and the others were held at ten-year intervals.  ZIMSTATS recently came under attack for failing to publicize the event, which is estimated to cost $39 million dollars. Last year the organization received vehicle donations from the US government to be used in reaching remote areas when carrying out the national census and other surveys.