Minister lauds responsible art
Minister of Forestry and Natural Resources Nancy Tembo has applauded ArtMalawi for undertaking the Mudi River Clean-up project.
Through the project, the organisation is using various forms of art such as painting, sculpture, pottery and weaving to increase awareness on the state of the river while mobilising individuals and organisations to take holistic action to save the river.
Speaking after touring some of the interventions that the organisation is undertaking between the Blantyre Sports Club and Kristwick, the minister said through the work that ArtMalawi is doing, the place can be restored as a tourist attraction site and a good recreational area.
She said: “For a private organisation to be involved in such work it is really commendable. And their infusion of art in their interventions is a masterstroke.
The artworks are very beautiful and that is what we call responsible art. This needs continuity and others need to get on board too.”
The minister said she never expected that people could convert waste into eye-catching pieces of art which is capable of earning the creators huge amounts of money.
Tembo said: “This is an art-oriented group, but they have taken up the responsibility to lead this against environmental degradation. This is the way to go. Let us learn to synchronise our efforts in the various sectors that we are working in.”
ArtMalawi founder Manota Mphande said art is an important tool and they use it as a medium to raise awareness so that people understand what they are doing in a visual sense.
He said: “What we have tried to do over a period of 68 days is to clean and collect as much visible waste on this section of Mudi River.
“The situation on this stretch was terrible. In seven days we have managed to collect over 40 tonnes of waste. That should tell you how bad the situation is.”
Mphande said he is not impressed with the efforts that government has put in to help and clean waste in places such as Mudi River. However, he said he is hopeful that the minister’s visit will help to push the agenda further at policy-making level.
Art Malawi is implementing the project together with Panthunzi Eco Solutions and GIZ Malawi under their More Income and Employment in Rural Areas of Malawi (MIERA) programme.
