Byo hailed for pioneering culture

GOVERNMENT has hailed Bulawayo city for pioneering culture.

This was revealed during the official launch of the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) thematic culture 2030 indicators in Zimbabwe in Bulawayo this week.

The Unesco Culture 2030 Indicators is a framework to measure and monitor culture’s contribution to the national and local implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs.

Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Judith Ncube expressed gratitude over the opportunity given to the city to spearhead a survey on the contribution of culture towards attaining Vision 2030.

“I am excited that Bulawayo was chosen for this exercise and this is testament to the strides the city has made in the development and promotion of the arts, the creative sector and preservation of its heritage. This will be key in also substantiating the city’s status as a cultural hub and reinforces efforts that have been made towards including Culture in the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Ncube.

“It will help the city and Zimbabwe at large to begin the process of quantification of the contribution of the city’s and nation’s profound heritage, rich diversity and culture. There are several benefits that are anticipated to be derived after this exercise and these include preserving the local culture and heritage, strengthening communities, commercialisation of culture and art, revitalisation of the creative arts sectors and the preservation of heritage.”

Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture deputy minister Emily Jesaya showered praise on Bulawayo City Council for its various measures of preserving culture.

“It is my ministry’s wish to thank the City of Bulawayo for trailblazing on matters of culture as it is the only city in Zimbabwe that has an Arts and Culture Desk in its Housing and Social Services Department,” Jesaya said.

“It was for this reason that when Unesco expressed desire to conduct this survey, the government requested the city of Bulawayo to consider piloting the project. The city agreed, and indeed signed the three-some agreement that knotted the city, Unesco and my Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture to this noble cause that this two-day workshop is kick-starting.”

Last year, Bulawayo signed a memorandum of understanding with Unesco committing towards cultural data collection and analysis which will enable it to measure and monitor the contributions of culture towards the implementation of Agenda 2030 and the SDGs.