K3.8bn Malawi Cultural fund launched by Norway, HIVOS
The Royal Norwegian Embassy and Humanist Institute for Co-operation with Developing Countries (HIVOS) has launched a K3.8 billion (Euro 481,313) cultural fund.
Speaking during launch which was hosted by the Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi Kikkan Haugen on Thursday, Hivos Regional Director for Southern Africa, Tanja Lubbers Guzha, said Culture Fund for Malawi will help to strengthen the cultural sector in Malawi.
Ms Lubbers said Malawi is one of the countries in Southern Africa endowed with rich culture and tradition with a lot of potential to contribute to the national revenues with other sectors such as eco-tourism, education, science and technology, agriculture, information, communications technology.
Ms Lubbers said “Malawian culture is a valuable resource which the Government and people of Malawi can develop and showcase at home and internationally.”
The Hivos Regional boss said once culture is fully exploited, it can help to alleviate poverty particularly in rural Malawi.
Ms Lubbers said Norwegian Embassy has entrusted Hivos Foundation to with the role of administering the funding and monitoring its implementation.
Hivos is also a lead organization in addressing issues of child marriages.
During the ceremony which attracted a lot of stakeholders including artists, Director of culture Dr Elizabeth Gomani Chindebvu commended Norwegian Government and Hivos for supporting the arts and culture
fund in Malawi.
Chindebvu said the Royal Norwegian Embassy has provided financial support to Malawi culture sector through promotion and conservation of Malawi’s cultural Heritage Programme managed by the Department of culture and artists through cultural support scheme.
One of the artists in Malawi, Mac Arthur Matukuta of Solomonic Peacock commended the setting up of the fund saying it will help to promote artists.
Baldwin Chiyamwaka is currently the programme Manager for the cultural fund in Malawi which will run for three years.
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