Nyari Mashayamombe- Editor in Chief
In this interview Identities Media (IM) caught up with Butholezwe Kgosi Nyathi (BKN).He is one of the key people who have served not only the City of Bulawayo in an amazing way but he is also greatly recognized in the creative sector. Enjoy!
IM: Tell us about yourself?
BKN: I am Butholezwe Kgosi Nyathi. 35 years old. I serve as Regional Director of the National Gallery in Bulawayo.
I introduced digital art in the curatorial framework of the NGB leading to the NGB’s first ever full scale digital art exhibition in partnership with British Council Southern Africa Arts.
Fundraised US$138 000 and facilitated renovation and restoration of Douslin House which houses the NGB. Douslin House is 119 years old and is a historic building in terms of the laws of the country.
Adopted a green policy which saw the NGB install a solar system thus reducing regular power use.
Installed a disability ramp thus improving access to the Gallery by people living with disabilities.
Revived the Resident Artist Development Programme that supports young visual artists with training, networking and mobility opportunities.
Content Coordinator and co-Team Leader for the Ease of Doing Business conference hosted by the Creative and Cultural Industries stakeholders in Zimbabwe. Conference was attended by the President of Zimbabwe and select members of Cabinet. The arts have since then been consistently referenced in national socio-economic policy pronouncements.
United Kingdom Chevening Scholarship recipient – 2017 to 2018
Mandela Washington Fellow – 2016
IM: What drives the work that you do?
BKN: I am committed to supporting the sustainable growth of arts, culture and heritage in Zimbabwe. Using the National Gallery in Bulawayo, I desire to highlight the role of art in national socio-economic development.
I seek to build a vibrant cultural institution that gives pride to residents in Bulawayo. If Bulawayo is the cultural capital of Zimbabwe, the Gallery then has to be the nerve center of creative expression in the city.
I am a cultural policy scholar and practitioner and I am desirous to support the professionalisation and viability of the creative and cultural industries in Zimbabwe. As a cultural manager, providing technical support to artists is my passion.
IM: What do you see in the near future?
BKN: I aspire to see a Zimbabwe with vibrant creative industries providing employ to young people and contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product.
I am keen to see active and responsible citizenship wherein local and national level duty bearers engage in mutually beneficial collaborative working relations for community development.
I look forward to enhance embracing of responsible, responsive and servant oriented national and local leadership that acts to fulfil the aspirations of citizens in their diversity.
I will personally pursue cultural scholarship and produce academic and opinion articles to inform and influence cultural policy practice.
IM: What are your parting words or advice?
BKN: Service to humanity is the best work of life.
Add comment