By Beatrice Bangula

Blantyre, October 24, Mana: Stakeholders in the creative industry have called for increased government support and collaboration to drive sustainable development through arts.

Chairperson for the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA), Rev. Chimwemwe Mhango made the call Wednesday during the opening of a two-day conference on Chitoliro Music and Arts in Blantyre.

Mhango emphasized the need for government’s involvement in fostering initiatives that support the creative industry.

“Government and stakeholders need to make policies and programmes that focus on capacity building and investment in a serious way,” he said.

He stressed the importance of collaborations between artists, investors and policymakers to promote growth in the sector.

On his part, Director of Chitoliro Productions and Urban Music People (UMP) Festival, Ken Zizwa Limwame underscored the significance of the conference.

“This conference brings artists together to evaluate our gaps and learn from each other. We have participants from different countries, which will have a lasting impact on our local industry,” said Limwame.

He added that there is need for formal institutions dedicated to arts education in Malawi.

“Art can be inborn but we still need schools to teach techniques and foster creativity which in turn will improve the quality of artistic work produced,” he said.

The conference aims at exploring the pivotal role of the creative industry in driving sustainable development under the theme: “evolutionary exploration of creative industries’ role for sustainable development.”