By Alfred Tembo
FOLLOWING a failed attempt to pursue academics, the arts industry provides my only source of hope for a better day ahead despite a threatening harsh economic state we are in as a country says Tapiwanashe Mpofu, a young and upcoming Gweru based musician.
Mpofu, who is known in showbiz circles as Ras TB, doubles as an actor and has been featured in Hondo Yesvitsa (2021).
He told Standard Style that it was high time Zimbabwe recognise the arts industry as a critical source of employment by helping the industry through possible incentives as seen in other areas such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing.
“Academics gave me hard time but I found my strength in the arts industry and it gives me freedom and the desire to do more,” Ras TB said.
“Only our greatest challenge as a country is the fact that we treat arts industry as a secondary port of call after everything we do has failed.
“It’s sad, from planning to budget allocation; the arts industry is less prioritised.
“During the land reform programme, there was not even one beneficiary who got land on the basis of establishing a film village or an arts centre; instead it was mainly for agriculture and mining,”
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Born and raised in Gokwe, Mpofu moved to Gweru with the hope of pursuing his music passion.
The 19-year-old musician said lack of government support coupled by an uneven playing field for artistes is a deterrent factor in the development of the arts industry.
“As musicians, we are ignored and treated like surrogates only to be remembered when they need us,” said Ras TB.
“In most cases, it’s only a few individuals that benefit leaving most of us out. This kind of divide and rule or picking out a few individuals for certain agendas has had ripple effects on the development of the arts industry in the country.”
The youthful chanter, who is backed by Baccayard Family, said he was promoting his three singles namely Ndino Ngokugaya, Batai Musunge and Rudo featuring Spy King all recorded and produced by Dj Latitude at Hold On Ent in Gweru.
