The Standard
By John Mokwetsi
4 July 2009
IT has been a long journey since The Standard newspaper successfully launched the Cover to Cover Short Story Writing Competition in 2006.
The innovative competition showcased amazing talent that provided young people throughout Zimbabwe with an opportunity to develop their writing skills and nurture their talent.
For three years the project has seen the publication of brilliant stories from young people that culminated in the production of an anthology titled Children Writing in Zimbabwe last year.
The book published with the support of The Culture Fund of Zimbabwe, carries 42 stories that showcase the variety, creativity, and expression of young people from diverse backgrounds.
It was therefore befitting that last Wednesday the Culture Fund handed over 2 000 copies of the anthology to the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart for distribution to schools.
The handing over was done at the official opening of the Culture Fund offices.
“I take note of the donation of these books. I am grateful. It is saddening when one looks at the situation in terms of availability of books. There is a terrible shortage of textbooks in the country,†Coltart said after receiving the books.
“At rural schools the ratio of students sharing textbooks is 30-1 while in urban areas it is mostly 15-1 or 20 – 1.â€
The executive director of Culture Fund of Zimbabwe, Farai Mpfunya said although there was a wealth of literature from all over the world by young people it was not a substitute for locally produced literature.
“To date 3 000 books have been distributed in the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe to schools, universities and local libraries at no charge in a bid to promote the reading and writing culture,†Mpfunya said.
The function was attended by top personalities such as Albert Nyathi, Oliver Mtukudzi, acting director of the National Arts Council, Elvas Mari, Harare mayor, Muchadeyi Masunda and the wife of the late comedian and musician, Safirio Madzikatire, Ntongasi.
Swedish Ambassador, Sten Rylander whose country is the largest donor to the fund said its impact in the country’s arts sector was growing.
The Culture Fund is a non-partisan civic society organisation established and registered as a Trust in June 2006.
Its establishment came as a result of the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and stakeholders’ desire to address inconsistent funding of the Culture sector in Zimbabwe.