Bulawayo deputy mayor Mlandu Ncube has said the local authority and the government, should look into the welfare of artists.
Councilor Ncube made the remarks at the burial of the late award-winning comedian Clive Chigubu who died on Wednesday.
The comedian who succumbed to cancer of the lymphatic system (Diffuse Large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), was laid to rest at Umvutcha Park Cemetery in Bulawayo on Sunday.
“The artists talked about cooperates, government, institutions that they do not want to have state-assisted funerals. Why do they want to wear suits and come to address them when they are dead, why not support them while they are still alive?
“As a local authority and the government, we should rethink how we take care of our artists. We as Bulawayo City Council, have taken a step further. As a city, all these years we have been working with Nhimbe Trust and we have gone further, employed someone who now works with artists,” he said.
Cllr Ncube said there was a need for the local authority to create a policy that will promote
“We are saying come forward and we help each other to grow. I think we should create a policy that as long as you are applying for a license in Bulawayo, what is your policy towards arts.
“Bulawayo should contribute towards the economy of the country through the creative industry, this is what we should do. So this has taught us that we have got a lot of comedians and I will have to look through this with my colleagues on how we can slot them and develop the talent and grow our city,” he added.
Meanwhile, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) Director Nicholas Moyo encouraged other artists to take their craft seriously and build businesses.
Chigubu is survived by his wife and five-year-old daughter
