Zimbabwe: Sasnet Set to Assist Artists
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 Published by the government of Zimbabwe |
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The Herald (Harare)
21 August 2008
Posted to the web 21 August 2008
Harare
The recently launched Sadc Artistes Aids Support Network (SasNet) is set to spearhead the welfare of artistes affected and infected by HIV and Aids.
A declaration of commitment to help those affected by HIV and Aids was signed by five Sadc countries, including Zimbabwe, during last year's first edition of the Sadc Artistes Aids Festival in Harare, giving birth to the establishment of SasNet.
Founder and director of SasNet Eugene Marillier-Malotana said the organisation would network with HIV and Aids service organisations in the region to research and provide data on artistes that are living with HIV and Aids and needing anti-retroviral therapy.
"The organisation will provide information, services and support to artistes in general and in particular to artistes living with Aids; attract requisite funding from Sadc, national governments and the international community, among other initiatives," he said.
Virginia Phiri, a Zimbabwean author, chairs the local chapter of SasNet while Stephen Chifunyise, a leading playwright, serves as committee advisor.
"We are very excited that this initiative has taken off in Zimbabwe," Phiri said.
Already, an artistes' support group, which meets regularly to discuss the impact that HIV and Aids has on the arts industry in general, has been established and it focuses on how best artistes could support one another when faced with the effects of the pandemic.
The support group is made up of several established and up-and-coming artistes from Harare, and efforts are being made to extend the network into other provinces of Zimbabwe.
Plans to hold another festival later this year in Malawi are at an advanced stage.
"We have much work on our hands. Apart from ensuring that the festival takes place in Malawi, we need to ensure the sustainability of the project in Zimbabwe. The onus is on every single artiste to become involved and ensure that this happens.
"We are working on activities that will ensure the sustainability of the project and are seeking support from the normal channels for funding while using our own creativity to raise money needed and highlighting the plight faced by many artistes infected and affected by Aids in the region," Marillier-Malotana said.
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Zimbabwe has embraced SasNet and Rooftop Promotions has become a major supporter of the initiative, making available its offices for administrative purposes while Theatre in the Park is the venue for ongoing artistes' support meetings.
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