Minister challenges Malawi’s female artists

Minister of Tourism Daniel Liwimbi has challenged women in Malawi to take arts as a serious career to boost their financial standings.

Liwimbi made the remarks on Wednesday in the capital Lilongwe when he opened a three-day workshop for women at Bwalo la Aluso Festival happening at Bingu Conference Centre on Wednesday.

He urged them to remain undeterred by portrayals of women in the arts as prostitutes.

“Some people perceive female artists, especially in modelling or beauty pageants, as people of loose morals. Because of this, most women shy away from showcasing what they have. But I challenge you to rise above that and excel in the field. Some people have become millionaires through art,” the minister told about 80 participants at the training.

Funded by the Norwegian Government, the maiden festival has been organised by nine art associations affiliated to Copyright Association of Malawi (Cosoma).

Norwegian Ambassador Asborn Eidhammer briefly attended the training.

Liwimbi also encouraged women to concentrate on non- fiction writing to document prevailing realities and preserve our culture.

Cosoma executive director Dora Makwinja urged government to speed up the formulation of the cultural policy for smooth regulation of the arts in the country.

Bwalo la Aluso gets into an overdrive with Friday’s live performances, co-starring Black Missionaries with Skeffa Chimoto, Fikisa, Symon and Kendal, at Kamuzu Institute of Sports in Lilongwe.