Sculptors at Mawabeni Art Centre in Esigodini have warned that the current relentless economic pressures in the country are pushing their livelihoods to the brink, raising urgent concerns about the survival of one of Zimbabwe’s vital artistic communities.
Located along the busy Bulawayo–Beitbridge highway, the art centre was once a vibrant stopover for tourists seeking Zimbabwe’s iconic stone sculptures.
Today, artists say despite heavy traffic along the highway, sales have not kept pace with rising costs of living and doing business.
Veteran sculptor Trymore Ndlovu who has worked at Mawabeni for over a decade said the situation has shifted to an economic crisis one.
“People are travelling but they are not spending like before. Fuel prices are very high, basic goods are expensive and even tourists are now more cautious with their money. We can go the whole week without a meaningful sale,’ said Ndlovu in an interview with Cite.
Ndlovu, known for his detailed wildlife carvings added that the cost of sourcing raw materials has nearly doubled over the past two years. Transporting serpentine stone from Masvingo and other areas has become increasingly difficult due to high fuel and logistics costs.
Another sculptor, Tinashe Moyo said the unstable exchange rate has also created further uncertainty for artists who rely on both local and foreign customers.
“We price our work in US dollars because that is what most tourists use but some local buyers prefer Zimbabwe dollars,” Moyo explained.
“So the problem is that the rate changes so fast that you can lose value overnight. It is hard to plan or even restock materials.”
Moyo also noted that while social media has opened new opportunities to market their work, inconsistent internet access and high data costs limit their reach.
Younger sculptors are also feeling the pressure.
Jairos Phiri who joined the trade five years ago said many of his peers are abandoning sculpture altogether.
“Some of my colleagues have gone into cross-border trading while others into small-scale mining. Art is becoming difficult to sustain as a full-time job. You need patience, but also capital and right now both are hard to come by,” said Phiri.
He added that even when sales are made, overhead costs eat into profits.
“We still pay fees to operate here and rentals are not going down. At the end of the month, you realise you are working just to cover costs.”
Despite the challenges, the sculptors remain hopeful that targeted support and policy changes could revive the sector.
They are calling for reduced taxes on art exports, improved access to affordable transport and stronger promotion of local tourism.
“There is both talent and heritage here. If the environment improves, Mawabeni can become a major cultural hub again. We just need the right support to keep going,” said Moyo.