Arts sector to witness success in 2024
DODOMA: THE culture, arts and sports sectors have benefited greatly from government investments, which have led to the industry’s impressive yearly development.
Minister for Planning and Investment, Kitila Mkumbo confirmed that the arts sector experienced significant growth in 2023, with a 17.7 per cent increase.
The Minister confirmed on the growth at the parliament in Dodoma on Thursday as he presented the national development plan for 2024–2025 and the economic report for 2023. In his remarks, he pointed out “The industries driving the growth in 2023 were arts (17.7 per cent), finance and insurance (12.2 per cent), minerals (11.3 per cent) and accommodation and food (8.3 per cent).
“However, sectors that were expected to create more employment opportunities, such as agriculture (4.2 per cent), industry (4.3 per cent), and business (4.2 per cent), experienced slower growth.” This impressive rise indicates that the industry is expanding quickly, but it could not have done so without the direct and indirect assistance of the nation’s public and private sectors.
Given the industry’s immense potential and the vast number of young people it impacts, the government has significantly expanded funding this year.
The government has allocated 285.3bn/- for the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, up from 35.4bn/- for the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
Government call on proper management of sports fund
With a significant focus on sports development in the country and in preparation for the African Cup of Nations finals in 2027 as well as this year’s CHAN finals, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa recently emphasised the proper management and use of funds allocated for sports activities.
The Prime Minister made this statement at the sports award gala for sports personalities in Dar es Salaam.
“The funds allocated for sports activities, particularly the five per cent of the Sports Development Fund, should be used as planned to promote sports in the country.” The Prime Minister emphasised that the fund must be carefully managed, highlighting the significance of the sector.
He also noted that the government has considerably increased funding for the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports, with the budget increasing to 285.3bn/- for the 2024/2025 fiscal year from 35.4bn/- for the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
“This is the largest increase ever since the establishment of this Ministry. Let’s congratulate and thank President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who appreciates sports and culture.” Premier Majaliwa stressed that proper fund management is necessary as sports engage a large group of young people who are self-employed or employed through their talents.
In addition to providing employment, the Prime Minister highlighted that the sector impacts national income, reduces non-communicable diseases, promotes the nation internationally, provides entertainment and enthusiasm and builds national unity.
Hence, the government will continue to support sports and ensure the sector flourishes, he said. The Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports was tasked by Prime Minister Majaliwa to create a range of sports programmes that will nurture Tanzanians’ talent starting in early childhood in schools.
“The Ministry of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government) should work together with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to ensure that sports is fully implemented at all levels, from primary and secondary schools to universities and colleges.”
Furthermore, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to initiate the establishment of industries that will produce sports equipment to guarantee the sector’s growth and the availability of high-quality gear at reasonable costs.
Government plan to enhance sports infrastructure
Recently, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa announced the government’s commitment to improving sports infrastructure in 56 selected schools to develop sports talent in the country.
He stated that 4bn/- was allocated in March of this year to upgrade facilities in 26 secondary schools to ensure the accomplishment of this objective.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while inaugurating the Inter Primary (UMITASHUMTA) and Secondary Schools (UMISSETA) Games at Ali Hassan Mwinyi grounds in Tabora, where he was representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He emphasised the government’s dedication to providing funding for sports programmes in primary and secondary education, believing that engagement in sports helps students enhance their cognitive abilities and perform well in both academics and athletics.
“This is the reason behind the presence of these UMITASHUMTA and UMISSETA games which help bring out the talents of sportsmen and women who will be able to play various sports at the national and international levels.
“Sports have a lot to offer us in life. First and foremost, sports promote good physical and mental health, mental tranquillity, financial gain and increased popularity.” Furthermore, he highlighted the significance of sports in promoting physical and mental health, financial gain and popularity.
He urged parents and guardians to encourage their children to participate in sports and arts.
“On the part of parents and guardians, ensure and encourage the participation of children in sports or art so that they do not separate themselves from the opportunities available in today’s world.” Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Mohamed Mchengerwa, stated that 805 instructors and leaders from Tanzania’s mainland and islands, along with 3,188 athletes, participated in this year’s UMITASHUMTA tournament.
Additionally, 3,360 athletes and 900 educators and leaders will take part in the UMISSETA. Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports, Damas Ndumbaro, noted that the ministry has dispatched professionals to the tournament following the Prime Minister’s directive. He assured the presence of national teams from the championship after the competition, as well as the construction of 10 special sports schools as per the Prime Minister’s directive.
“You also directed us to have special schools where the teams will be placed, so in the budget we passed recently, we have allocated funds for the construction of 10 special sports schools,” he said.
Tanzania film industry set for new dawn
The film industry in the Republic of Korea committed to work with Tanzania’s film sector to create high-quality international films that will attract a global audience.
This commitment was made by the President of the Korean Film Producers Association (KFPA), Eun Lee, during a meeting with President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Seoul recently.
President Samia mentioned that Tanzania has many talented artists but lacks the expertise, equipment and infrastructure needed to produce films that meet international standards.
She requested that the Koreans collaborate with their Tanzanian counterparts, known for creating and acting in high-standard films. President Samia also suggested that Korean filmmakers consider using Tanzania’s beautiful and diverse locations for their productions, including rivers, forests, lakes, wildlife parks and various cultures that could appeal to a global audience.
The artists, including Elizabeth Michael (Lulu), Yvonne Cherrie (Monalisa), and Leah Mwendamseke (Lamata), expressed their gratitude to President Samia for addressing the challenges they face.
They appreciated President Samia’s interest in the film industry, evidenced by her participation in two films, including the renowned “Tanzania: The Royal Tour.” The collaboration between Tanzania and Korea in the film sector is anticipated to be a significant opportunity for many Tanzanian artists.
Korea’s advanced expertise and infrastructure in film production contribute to annual government revenue of 600 million US dollars from the industry.
Government allocates 3bn/- for Arts and Culture
The Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Sports has allocated a significant budget of 3bn/- for the Culture and Arts Fund in the 2024/25 fiscal year.
The planned activities under the Culture and Arts Fund include offering loans to arts and cultural stakeholders to implement their creative works.
According to Minister Damas Ndumbaro, the Culture and Arts Fund aims to provide subsidies and loans to artists, improve their capacities, formalise their work and support commercial endeavours.
The ministry has also prioritised the budget for the African Liberation Heritage Centre, allocating 2bn/- to support various initiatives, including research to discover liberation relics and creating studies on sites with African Liberation Heritage in specific regions.
Additionally, the Ministry has allotted 1.5bn/- for Bagamoyo College of Arts and Culture (TaSUBa) in the 2024/25 budget year.
The activities include starting the construction of a perimeter fence, purchasing learning and teaching materials, continuing infrastructure renovations, improving ICT and communication systems, enhancing wastewater and clean water systems and finalising the procurement of equipment and infrastructure for the Bagamoyo International Arts and Culture Festival.
Furthermore, the ministry has allocated 500m/- to support National Swahili Council (BAKITA) activities, aiming to create 100 Swahili teaching facilities overseas during the fiscal year 2024/25.
Tanzania’s embassies across the world will collaborate with the diaspora to teach Swahili as a foreign language in six nations. In addition, the Art and Film Complex will receive 300m/- in the fiscal year 2024/25.
These allocations demonstrate the government’s commitment to supporting and developing culture, arts and heritage in Tanzania.
