The University of Malawi Fine and Performing Arts head of department, Catherine Makhumula, has challenged Malawian artists who participated in a one week professional training under SULA project to utilise the newly attained skills for the growth of creative industry in the country.
Makhumula said this during the certificate presentation to 68 trainees who have successfully completed their training that was organised by the department of Fine and Performing Arts.
She also told Chanco News that the workshop came with a realization that Malawian artists lack professional training despite their admirable talent. She said the initiative targeted actors, directors, TfD practitioners, Sound Engineers, Band Leaders, Painters, Sculptors, and Film writers.
We invited 68 artists from various fields across Malawi because majority of them are not trained formerly because of few art education systems in Malawi so we invited them because they already know their trade but what they lack is professionalizing their art forms, so we thought we could invite them, learn from them and also impart some knowledge, principles and techniques in art
Dr. Catherine Makhumula
One of the trainees, Wiseman Kadzendera who hails from Blantyre and is a playwright, actor and emerging director said that the project has enlightened him on the right way of doing Theatre for Development and has since commended University of Malawi under SULA project saying this free project should not end on this group.
“We have been doing TfD for three years but didn’t have capacity building because we were just doing it for the sake of doing it but now I have learnt how to do it from the surface to the ground and I will also teach my colleagues where I come from, “remarked Kadzendera.
Eunice Liwewe who was one of assistant trainers in the acting class also pointed out that SULA project aims to re-mould artists who already know what should be done in their field.
SULA Project is funded by Sound Connect Fund, ACP-EU Culture Programme, Goethe-Institute of South Africa and Siemens Stifttung.
