Tsitsi Ndabambi
Zimbabwean cultural ambassador Luckson “Manluckerz” Chikutu believes the country has a potential of making billions of dollars from arts and culture sector.
Manlukerz has been credited for pushing a number of cultural initiatives in and outside the country.
With so many cultural songs in his bag, Manlukerz has managed to assemble an outfit Zimbabwe Traditional Unity that has band members from different countries.
“I can tell you that the country has a potential of making a lot of money because our culture is unique and adored by many beyond our borders. I see it whenever we perform here people love it,” he said.
According to him, there is need to monitise the sector as it contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the country.
Manlukerz who is based in Sweden Chikutu said just like Jamaica and other African countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe’s arts sector can be a billion dollar project.
“Our culture is appreciated all over. I will give an example of how people here in Sweden adore you if you wear our African and cultural attires. That explains why I put on the cultural clothes when I go on stage,” he said.
The musician gave an example of how Thomas Mapfumo is respected with his traditional beats.
“Just a drum and Mbira makes our traditional music very rich. So with all that what stops us from taking our culture forward as a nation. I am happy that people in Zimbabwe do understand what our culture is,” he added.
He said it was good that the government through President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pledged to assist players in the arts industry.
“That is very important because arts sector needs money so that it gets the boost. That is one sector that has the potential of employing hundreds of people especially youth as well as bring the much needed foreign currency to the country,” he said.
