Pilato's view on Natiomal Arts Council

A renowned artist Fumba chama whose populary known by his stage name as PilAto.Fumba Chama on his facebook fan Page wrote that the fire of revolution has a tendency of burning the fingers of those that try to quench it, so instead of quenching it the best is to let it burn. To begin with I must state that this is my opinion, yes like my name so is this opinion. 

Thanks to Madam Saboi, Madam Kapwepwe, my friend Zagaze Petersen and so many others that have helped us to remember that actually NAC does exist. Slowly we began to forget and NAC was synonymous to NATIONAL AIDS COUNCIL and NATIONAL AIRPORTS CORPORATIONS but now we are reminded that there's NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL. 

Over and above, how have we the artists survived without the help of our COUNCIL? And if we've managed to survive what then do we need a council for? Supposing our NAC was sedated a little longer what shall we lose as artists? From where I stand, all the Arts associations have found a way to survive without any single thought of help from our COUNCIL and that is why most of them are so reluctant to involve the NAC. 

Being a member of two art associations helps me realise that our council is not only irrelevant to the arts today but also parasitic. But why then was NAC FORMED? Common answer is to regulate, promote and develop artistic elements within the Zambian borders. This is amplified in one of the NAC statutes that states that provincial bodies should be established across the country to ensure there's effective presence of our NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL. Today the only visible provincial NAC office is in LUSAKA and the rest are invisible even to the most imaginative. I agree we need our NAC but it has to be a working NAC and with a national outlook. Zambia has 10 provinces and someone is not only Zambian when they live in Lusaka. 

On MADAM KAPWEPWE I have been lucky to have been inspired by her... my entry into theatre as an actor and playwright was propelled by MADAM KAPWEPWE, UNCLE SAM KASANKHA AND MR BRIGHT BANDA so today I can never disrespect her artistry in any way... but then WHEN calls for change echo with such brutality yet with unimaginable flare, am invited to analyse... maybe the problem is not HER.... yes... who lied to us that a good artist will eventually make a good administrator...? Am sure the CEO at KCM today didnt qualify because of how good a miner he was. No accountant became one because they were good office cleaners. 

Being a good artist does not imply a good administrator of arts. Its only KALUSHA BWALYA who ended up a president at FAZ after being a great footballer.... I support the calls for Madam Kapwepwe to step down and I do not belittle her artistic achievements in any way. Madam, you have been dethroned psychologically and believe me its hard to reign on just bodies. 

I feel the NAC is not as vibrant as it was and I do not blame you alone but everyone around your table. Anyway, As we wait for Madam Kapwepwe to step down from the chairmanship, I do propose that she be replaced with someone with administrative capabilities and not just by a good artist. Also being mindful that the National Arts Council will be dissolved... as artists can we be acquainted to whats happening now to avoid the shock on who will lead us and what criteria of selecting the people to be involved in the commission. 

On ZMAs, special thanks to ZAMBIA BREWERIES, for the support. I am so sure its hard to work with arts and thats because what we as artists do is express ourselves. You may not like what we say but am sure you believe in the freedom of expression too art is nothing but expression and artists are good at that. But when we speak Lo and behold. ... you can miss the call but never miss the message. The ZMAs may not be perfect but we need it. 

Thank you. 

PilAto 

pilatoyaku@gmail.com