By Nellie Kapatuka
Representatives from the creative industry in the Central Region on Monday gathered in Lilongwe for the final consultative meeting towards the development of the National Arts and Heritage Council (NAHEC) strategic plan.
NAHEC is a statutory body mandated to regulate, promote and develop Malawi’s arts and cultural sector to improve artists’ welfare, create employment and contribute to tourism growth through provision of resources, grants and infrastructure.
Speaking during the opening session, Director of Arts in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Humphrey Mpondaminga, said the strategic plan will formulate regulations to strengthen governance and administration of the arts and heritage sector.
“The strategic plan under development is designed to serve as an operational guiding tool for the council. The arts and heritage sector is key to the country’s economic development as it is one of the pillars of the MW2063 blueprint and has the potential to create jobs and generate revenue,” said Mpondaminga.
He said the consultative meetings are aimed at ensuring that the final document reflects the aspirations and needs of players in the creative industry.
Film Association of Malawi President Dorothy Kingston commended NAHEC for engaging stakeholders in the formulation process.
“This is commendable. It is important for players in respective sectors to be engaged and have their voices heard in matters affecting them. We therefore encourage NAHEC to continue accommodating stakeholders in processes taking place in the creative industry,” she said.
The strategic plan, expected to come into effect by the end of the year, focuses on thematic areas such as commercialisation and professionalisation, infrastructure and funding, establishment of a national arts and heritage promotion fund, cultural preservation, economic contribution and grassroots development.
Development of the plan follows the enactment of the National Arts and Heritage Council Bill in 2024.
The consultation process has involved artists, musicians and heritage site managers to address challenges including inadequate funding and weak regulation in the sector.
