Creatives petition Parliament

Pass the National Heritage Council [Nahec] Bill now, now”. This was the slogan echoed by scores of artists who stormed Parliament Building in Lilongwe yesterday to deliver a petition dubbed Nahec.

The slogan was supported by live music performances by musicians Dan Lu and Ethel Kamwendo-Banda and placards which carried various messages asking for the establishment of the Arts Council.

The partists delivered the petition to the august House through Neno North member of Parliament (MP) Thoko Tembo, who thanked them for the peaceful walk.

The legislator assured the artists that the petition will be discussed in the Parliament.

“This petition has been received at a time Parliament is conducting its business, but we will try to find time and discuss it. Failing which, we will look into it during the next meeting of Parliament,” said Tembo.

But upon hearing this, artists demanded that parliamentarians discuss the Nahec Bill now and pass it into law. They argued that the debate on the Arts Council was long overdue.

This culminated to a live music performance led by Kamwendo-Banda. She changed the lyrics of her song Pamene Wayimapo into those that advocated for the speedy enactment of the Bill.

In his speech, a representative of the task force pushing for the enactment of the Bill, Maxwell Chiphinga, said in their petition they are asking MPs to pass the Nahec Bill since Nahec will not only improve the economic welfare of artists in the country, but also the country’s heritage.

The petition also reasons with parliamentarians to discuss and pass the Bill saying it is crucial to the development of the industry. It further describes the Arts Council as a channel through which government can regulate and support the arts in Malawi.

Rights holders present during the march included  Chewa Heritage Foundation, Musicians Union of Malawi, Photographers Association of Malawi, Film Association of Malawi and Poetry Association of Malawi.