THE German embassy in Zimbabwe has approached the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) with a proposal to duplicate the Matobo Hills cultural designs on the Jairos Jiri building wall.
The embassy’s cultural preservation officer Katrin Simon made the proposal, revealed in the minutes of a recent BCC full council meeting, to the BCC housing and community services department recently.
“A project concept note was forwarded and the Jairos Jiri building wall was identified as appropriate in showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the paintings of the Matobo designs,” the report said.
Part of the project budget was set aside to paint a wall with some Ndebele patterns so as to showcase the women’s cultural heritage skills.
The Jairos Jiri Centre wall was proposed and identified as a potential site to promote the Matobo women’s art while raising the institution’s profile.
The council reported that a sample of the profile of the Ndebele art designs was forwarded to council to allow for the evaluation of the designs.
“The designs were appropriate and appealing and they will enhance the appearance of the building. The German embassy will bear all the expenses related to the project,” the report read.
The town planning department did not object to the proposal to paint and decorate the Jairos Jiri Centre building wall.
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“This will go a long way in promoting Ndebele culture and also enhancing the beauty of the city,” the department said in response to the German embassy proposal.
The German embassy has been supporting a project called “Matobo from huts to pots”.
