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Rio Tinto Mondoro High School Launches Arts Centre at a Star Studded Ceremony

Artists and arts proprietors converged at Rio Tinto Mhondoro High School on the 2nd of February 2011 for the school’s prefects swearing-in ceremony and unveiling of the Arts Centre where esteemed icon Oliver Mtukudzi was guest of honor. Rio-Tinto Mhondoro High School became the first institution in Mashonaland West to build an arts centre.

Prominent musicians Alick Macheso and Albert Nyathi were among high profile artists. Other personalities in attendance included dancer Irene Chigamba, sculptor Agnes Nyanhongo, writer Virginia Phiri and script writer Agnes Gwatiringa.

Mtukudzi encouraged the students to attain better education levels for purposes of attainment of personal aspirations and not for their parents’ sake. Sculptor Agnes Nyanhongo urged the girl child to diversify and venture into the male dominated art genres such as stone sculpture for purposes of earning a living,  whilst Albert Nyathi advised the school children to specialize in new professions and not the traditionally recommended professions such as nursing, medicine and teaching as these had become oversubscribed. “The nation requires researchers with doctorates in new areas such as dance or theatre and such research will inform national strategy” he said. Most of the artists in attendance reiterated the need for talent identification and nurturing as well as perseverance driven by a desire to attain set goals.

Farai Mpfunya, Culture Fund of Zimbabwe director, lauded the celebrity appearance, saying such support would inspire confidence in upcoming artists and in school children. “This gathering has shown that prominent artists can be role models to students who wish to become artists in future. We will come in to facilitate such visits," Mupfunya said.

 The school children in attendance took the opportunity to showcase their artistic and creative talent to artists and guests. The occasion was organized by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, for purposes of motivating school children to take up art and culturally related courses emulating the prosperous artists as yardsticks.