Nyanga has mountains, waterfalls, and stories older than the pines. But our art industry has been quiet too long. To bring it back, we have to tackle 5 roots of the problem head-on.

‎1. Breaking the “Art = Poverty” Myth Parents Believe  ‎Why it exists: For years, parents only saw art as “drawing in the dust” with no salary at month-end. When a few artists struggled, the story became “all artists suffer”. 

The truth today: Art is now an economy. A stone sculptor in Mutare exports to Europe. A graphic designer in Harare earns in USD doing logos online. A beader in Nyanga sells to tourists at Troutbeck. Art feeds into tourism, construction, fashion, advertising, film. 

What changes it: 

‎‎1. Parent workshops: Schools + local leaders run 1-day talks showing real Nyanga artists who earn from their work. Bring 2-3 artists to testify.

‎i. Career data: Share examples , “Tariro does mural painting + earns $400/month. She trained at Mutare Polytechnic.” Parents respect numbers.

‎ii. Reframe the language: Instead of “my child wants to do art”, say “my child wants to build a creative business”. Parents fear poverty, not business.

‎2. Appreciation + Real Support from Community Stakeholders  ‎The problem: We clap at prize-giving day, then forget artists until next year. Claps don’t pay for paint. 

What real support looks like:  ‎‎

i. Businesses: Hotels like Troutbeck, Montclair, lodges can rotate local art on walls and put “Artist: X from Nyanga” with a QR code + price. That’s free marketing.

‎ii. Churches + events: Hire a local mbira player or dancer for fundraising, weddings, functions instead of always using recorded music. Pay them.

‎iii. Schools: Make “Buy Local Art” part of prize-giving. Instead of generic trophies, give winners a carved piece from a Nyanga artist.

‎iv. Social proof: Community leaders sharing artists’ work on WhatsApp groups/WhatsApp status moves more art than any gallery. When the councilor posts it, people take it seriously.

‎3. Endorsement + Grooming: Spot Them Early, Grow Them Properly.

The gap: We notice talent at Grade 7 prize-giving, then it disappears by Form 3 because no one guides it. 

Grooming system Nyanga can use: 

‎i. Artist mentors: Pair retired art teachers + working artists with 3-5 young talents each. 2hrs/month is enough to teach mixing paint, pricing work, dealing with clients.

‎ii. Apprenticeship model: Like we do for mechanics. A young sculptor spends Saturdays with a master carver in Juliasdale. The master gets help, the youth gets skill.

‎iii. Public endorsement: Monthly “Artist of the Month” on local radio, church announcements, council Facebook page. When a 16-year-old sees their name announced, they stop hiding their sketchbook. ‎

iv. Competitions with purpose: Not just “best drawing”. Run competitions like “Design Nyanga Tourism Logo” or “Paint our waterfalls”. Winner gets mentorship + materials.

‎4. Heritage-Based Curriculum: Teachers Must Do Theory + Pragmatism  ‎What’s missing now: Many teachers teach “heritage” from the textbook only. Students can name 3 types of pottery but have never touched clay.  ‎

How to fix it in Nyanga classrooms?: 

‎i. Dual-track approach: If a child shows strong art talent, don’t force 9 subjects equally. Give them 2 practical art periods/week + theory. The goal is a skilled graduate, not just a passed student. ‎

ii. Local content: Use Nyanga’s own heritage. Teach color theory using dyes from local plants. Teach sculpture using soapstone from nearby areas. Teach patterns from traditional blankets. Kids learn faster when it’s their world. ‎

iii. Teacher training: Cluster schools for workshops with National Gallery of Zimbabwe Mutare. Teachers learn 3 practical techniques they can teach without expensive materials. ‎

iv. Assessment change: Mark the portfolio, not just the exam. A student who carved 5 pieces + wrote about the meaning should pass, even if their theory paper is weak.

‎5. Local Authorities + Leadership: Provide an Arts Hub.

Why it matters: Artists without space become invisible. Tourists can’t buy what they can’t see. Youth can’t perform if there’s no stage. 

What Nyanga’s council can do: 

‎‎i. Physical hub: Convert an unused council hall/building near Nyanga town or at the museum into “Nyanga Creative Centre”. 3 parts: exhibition wall, performance corner, craft market stalls. Start small, 2 rooms is enough.

‎‎ii. Market days: First Saturday each month = “Nyanga Art & Craft Market”. Artists sell directly, no middleman. Tourists + locals come. Council collects small stall fee to maintain the hub. ‎‎

iii. Performance space: Open-air stage for mbira, dance, poetry nights. Schools use it for drama festivals. It builds audience + confidence. ‎‎

iv. Policy support: Leadership can waive licensing fees for registered artists for 1 year, help them get tax clearance, connect them to ZimTrade for exports. That’s cheaper than building from scratch but unlocks big growth.

Closing thought‎  ‎

Nyanga does not need to import culture. We already have it in our hands, our songs, our carvings. The 5 shifts above turn “my child does art” from a fear into “my child is building Nyanga’s future”. ‎‎

Parents change the myth. Community shows up. Mentors groom talent. Teachers balance books + brush. Leaders build the stage. Do that, and Nyanga’s art will not just survive, it will lead.‎‎

By Bright Barwe ‎