Arts are life

BY ARTS REPORTER

The transformative power of creative skills was celebrated at a certificate ceremony for young people who helped produce the short film Tsitsi 1 in Chipinge. Elizabeth Mahiyana, Executive Director of the Chimana Child Protection Organisation (CCPO), told graduates that “arts skills are life.”

The project, which ran from 29 to 31 December 2025, was a collaboration between CCPO, the Skills Amplification Programme (SAP), Herentals College Chipinge, and Chimanimani-based Inclusive Global Media (IGM). It was managed by CCPO’s Tendai Tanyanyiwa.

Addressing the youth, Mahiyana emphasised the value of practical training.

“We are encouraging you to acquire skills outside the classroom. Not everyone excels in academic subjects, hence the need for skills in professional trades such as television and film,” she said.

She urged them to see the graduation as a launch-pad, not a conclusion.

“This is not the end, but just a beginning. I have seen so much talent during the production of Tsitsi 1, and if this talent is nurtured further, I foresee some of you heading for greater heights, even overseas,” added Mahiyana.

The collaborative production saw SAP overseeing the overall training implementation. IGM provided the technical filming expertise, CCPO ensured child welfare and protection, and Herentals College incorporated its Heritage-based Education 5.0 framework into the process, blending skill development with cultural grounding.