HARARE - Officials from the Culture ministry snubbed a recent two-day National Arts Council Culture indaba held in Masvingo.

The indaba, which was mapping the way forward for the artists’ funding was supposed to be addressed by the ministry’s principal director, Reverend Paul Damasane.

Artists at the gathering made it clear that they were not impressed by the principal director’s absence.

“We have been insulted, the minister is not here yet. But there is the department of arts and culture run by Reverend Damasane and there is no representative.

“We have six important documents that need to be looked at by these officials, yet they are not here. What are they doing, busy flying all over the world and not even giving us feedback,” said Cont Mhlanga, Amakhosi director.

Mhlanga said while Damasane flew to England too watch Kirsty swim, “they are busy closing down swimming pools in Bulawayo.”

Mhlanga tasked the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe to convey their displeasure to the ministry.

“We are not happy, can you go and tell the minister how we feel. Damasane is not running the sector properly,” he said.

Damasane had been given two slots in the two-day indaba.

Thokozile Chitepo, board chairperson for the National Arts Council said she would convey the message to the ministry. “They were not here for reasons they gave but I will tell them how you feel. I will definitely personally convey the message,” she said.