Will ‘political’ artists save art?

Hordes of artists are once again vying for parliamentary seats in the May 20 Tripartite Elections, something that would ordinarily excite local artists that should most of them win, they will have more people fighting for their cause.

But if the past experience of artists who entered the House is anything to go by, the local artists’ hopes should not be raised.

Years after its drafting, the National Cultural Policy which should have changed the arts terrain in the country is still gathering dust as a policy document, despite having Members of Parliament, who should have fought for the cause of their colleagues outside.

Ethnomusican Waliko Makhala says it is disappointing that there is a breed of artists who made it to Parliament but did nothing to advance the cultural agenda in the August House.

“For the past 20 years, artists have made it to Parliament, but nothing was done to pass the cultural policy, names such as Lucius Banda, Billy Kaunda, Joseph Tembo and Rodger Nkhwazi had the chance to be on the forefront to push the cultural agenda, What did they do? Nothing!” says Makhala.

He says the cultural policy is important because it gives guidelines on issues concerning arts and culture.

He said that without the cultural policy in place, the entertainment and arts industry sails without a radar.

Now that already there are five notable artists namely, Allan Ngumuya, Lawrence Mbenjere, Billy Kaunda, Joseph Tembo and Lucius Banda, contesting for a parliamentary seat, is there anything to be excited about this time?

Kaunda and Tembo, who both were in the House the past five years, said artists who are parliamentarians strive for arts recognition.

While agreeing that he has not done much in promoting Malawi music, Tembo said they faced an uphill task in pushing for artists’ agenda.

“I have not done much, but managed to lobby government to remove duty from the equipment used in studios for music production. I also pushed for the arts policy to be brought for debate into the House but I was alone against 192 voices. Little attention was given. I also spoke on a need to have good and convenient venues for public performances and government said it would construct four theatres in Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Zomba and Blantyre, a promise which is yet to be fulfilled,” he explained.

Said the artist: “To get to Parliament you are voted by the electorate. At the same time, fellow artists felt they had their ambassador in the chamber. So, to balance the two was not easy. Some political enemies would take advantage and distort information when I speak for artists over development programmes and projects.”

Kaunda blamed the challenges being faced on lack of political will.

“Change is an ongoing process; unfortunately, people want someone to make noise when he/she has done something. For example, the Copyright Bill, which is at Cabinet level has been one of the projects I passionately followed. I even used my position as deputy minister of tourism to advocate change as well.

“The other example is that the Taxation Act, classifies equipment for art as luxury when in actual sense it’s not. I have been pushing for it to no avail. Now, at the end of the day, you are not the master of whatever you wish because someone somewhere makes a final decision on that. So yes, people might look at it as failure,” explained Kaunda.

Lucius Banda, who is United Democratic Front (UDF) flag carrier in Balaka North says he wants to be both the voice of his constituents and that of artists.

“The main reason to go Parliament are my two constituencies: Balaka North which is where I come from and music. I want to improve both areas through Parliament. I will be the voice of musicians as they do not have an opportunity to stand in Parliament and express challenges that we face.

“I have a plan, which if supported by government, can change the music industry. It starts with following up on the Cultural Policy Bill which I hear has been stuck at Cabinet for some time, then the Taxation Act which affects the growth of musicians, among others. With the necessary support, I am sure the situation can change,” he says.

Musicians Association of Malawi (MAM) chairperson Chimwemwe Mhango feels once a musician becomes a politician, priorities change.

“Two things happen when they walk into Parliament. They forget their colleagues and are consumed by the honourable status. This status makes them above their colleagues, hence do not get back to their fellow musicians.

“Music becomes secondary as development makes the agenda. We pray they make it to Parliament, but should not forget what God made them to be. Politics has an expiry date while art remains with an individual. Of course, we understand they are surrounded by people who have no interest in music, so they get subdued,” says Mhango.