By Brenda Nkosi
Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture, Alfred Gangata, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Malawi’s creative and heritage sectors into a strong economic driver through a new five-year strategic plan.
Speaking during a regional consultation meeting for the National Arts and Heritage Council (NAHEC) on Wednesday in Blantyre, Gangata said the arts are no longer only about cultural identity but a key pillar for national development and youth employment.
“This gathering signals our shared commitment to building a strong, organised, and inclusive creative and heritage sector for Malawi,” Gangata said.
He noted that cultural promotion has been integrated into the Malawi 2063 development blueprint, recognising the sector’s role in fostering social cohesion and youth participation.
Gangata assured participants that the administration of His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika would prioritise infrastructure development and policy reviews to commercialise the creative industry.
“I urge you to ensure that the strategic plan is practical enough to respond to the real challenges we face,” he added.
Eric Trinta, proprietor of Nyamithambo Arts Palace, welcomed the consultations, saying they provide the arts industry a platform to be part of the strategic plan for the next five years.
“This engagement implements the cultural policy that led to the creation of NAHEC. Associations are being upgraded into professional bodies, creating jobs for youths, uniting heritage sites, and promoting cultural villages,” Trinta said.
He added that the consultations will also help secure funding for arts and heritage sites through national budgets, similar to other sectors.
The ongoing consultations aim to gather diverse perspectives from across Malawi to create a roadmap that will govern NAHEC’s operations and the growth of the arts and heritage sector through 2031.
