Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
SCULPTORS have stepped up preparations for the Sanganai/ Hlanganani/ Kumbanai Tourism Expo as they anticipate generating more business during the premier global tourism event set for Mutare.
With Zimbabwe known as one of the leading countries in terms of sculpture talent, sculptors in Manicaland are eyeing big business when the province hosts the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanai tourism expo for the first time this September.
Mutare-based veteran sculptor, David Chimuka, revealed artists have already started to produce more artefacts as well as improving their marketing strategies, targeting international tourists.
“An expert from Germany recently went around educating us on marketing and putting our products on websites, which we did and as Manicaland visual artists, we have started to organise ourselves ahead of Sanganai being hosted by Manicaland for the first time. We have started to engage other artists to join us in producing more artifacts. Remember, Zimbabwe is a stone country, and we have a lot to market outside the country. We are producing more and encouraging other artists who had downed their tools to take advantage of Sanganai for the industry to get huge returns,” David Chimuka said.
For another sculptor, Charles Pariani, the expo presents an opportunity to further market Zimbabwe’s artistic heritage.
“We are very happy in the arts industry as we prepare for the Sanganai tourism expo. We are producing more artefacts targeting the global event. We have even summoned extra skills to produce high quality products that are also unique to our province.
“We are making different products that include local bird species, mushrooms and abstract objects among other artefacts. We are producing a lot of things to match the high number of tourists expected into the country this September,” Pariani said.
Zimbabwe’s stone sculptures have gained international recognition over the years for their unique style with sculptors such as Dominic Benhura among the most famous stone carvers to emerge from the country.
