•ZAMBIAN artistes have roundly appreciated President Micheal Sata’s efforts to create the Ministry of Tourism and Arts.

BY JOWIT SALUSEKI? –
THE legacy of late President Michael Sata will be incomplete without mentioning the Ministry of Tourism and Arts which he created upon ascending to the Republican presidency on 23 September 2011.
Due to the importance that both visual and audio art plays to the economic development of the country, President Sata saw it relevant to create a stand alone ministry so as to uplift the welfare of people whose livelihood depends on works of audio-visual arts.
Audio-visual art is the exploration of kinetic abstract of art and music set in relation to each other. It includes visual music, films, audiovisual performances and installations.?The Ministry of Tourism and Arts was created on July 10, 2012 after the realignment of Government ministries by President Sata.
It is against this backdrop that various artistes in Zambia and the art fraternity are continuing to eulogize President Sata on his death through music and messages of condolences.?Guitarist  ‘Uncle’Rex Mukonda and other artistes in the likes of Chola Mumba , Joe Chibangu and Jonto have released a tribute song in honour of late president Michael Sata.?The song entitled Mwende bwino (go well) was produced in Lusaka by Trevor Siyandi popularly known as TK at his Roma Side studio.
Basically the track asks the lord to give strength to the first family and the Zambian populace at large.?The song eulogizes late republican president Sata’s dedication, courage, determination and vision of making sure that he achieved his intended goals during his presidency.
In an interview with the Times musician Chibangu said President Sata was a visionary leader who touched many people’s heart because of his humility and passion for the less privileged in the society.?‘’ President Sata was  someone who was easy to interact with …he was humble, full of humility and a man of the people capable of engaging with the  least common person in the society.
Chibangu appealed to Zambians to mourn the late Head of State in peace and pray for the first family in this trying moment , so that God will strength them .?He commended Mr Sata for introducing the Ministry of Arts and Tourism, saying the creation of this Ministry has enabled artistes to feel appreciated as they are partners in development of the country.
‘’ Art is not only an income earner to individual artistes ,but the industry  also brings in revenue to the Government through taxes, as you may be away  as artistes  we pay taxes  when bringing in music instruments which we purchase from outside the country’’, says Chibangu.?According to Chibangu music also helps in bringing a positive image to a nation which can also spur an increase in tourism arrivals from other countries.
Female gospel sensation Mweshi Mulusa is also among several other artistes who have continued releasing tribute songs in honour of President Sata.?Former Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) Chairperson Maiko Zulu says president Sata’s death was a loss to the country.?‘’ President Sata recognized the importance of music and art in general to the country, hence his intentions of coming up with the ministry of Tourism and Arts.
Even the issue of Holograms were introduced by president Sata who envisioned that this was one way of fighting piracy as most artistes were losing out on their income through counterfeit products’’, says Zulu.
The dreadlocked reggae artist recounts that President Sata last year sponsored his 20th anniversary of his marriage to fellow musician wife Dapusa Nkhata popularly known as Sista D.?‘’ This is something that I have never publicized to the public , but I think people will be interested to know that President Sata last year on his own volition sponsored my 20th anniversary of my marriage at Chrismar Hotel in Lusaka.
Although the Head of State could  not attend in person , he delegated the then late Minister of Information and Broadcasting Kennedy Sakeni to represent him … that is the kind of person that President Sata was , always full of humility and kindness’’, eulogized Zulu.
Musician Petersen Mukubesa of the Anyandule fame, has prayed for peace during the period that the nation would be mourning president Sata.?Mukubesa posted a touching prayer  on his Facebook page saying:’’ Alpha and Omega, creator of heavens and earth , I come before you today to pray for peace and favour so we can go through this sensitive time when ordinary Zambians feel, think and consider it ‘national mourning period’ , while politicians plan , calculate and work on utilizing the sorrowful period to achieve , gain and smartly use the peaceful people of Zambia for their own political gain ‘’, Petersen ,?a politically –inclined artiste ,says in his prayer.
He continues:’’ I hereby pray for the protection, care, love and guidance among all and everyone longing to be part of the next Government. El Shadai send the comforter , your holy spirit to look?over all those with eyes but cannot see and suspect when suspicious progress upon their eyes and ears, let us make the right decisions’’, prays Petersen.
Meanwhile , the National Association  of Media Arts (NAMA) has postponed its first ever Zambia  Film , Television  and Radio Drama (ZAFTAR) Awards ceremony which were slated for this Friday (November 7, 2014) until the end of the national mourning period in honour of the late President Sata.
NAMA National Chairman Patrick ’Saulosi’ Salubusa confirmed this in an interview in Lusaka at the weekend.?‘’ President Sata gave us as artistes our own Ministry , the Ministry of Tourism and Arts and therefore it would only be wise that we honour his life by postponing the Zambia Film , Television  and Radio (ZAFTAR)  Awards  from Friday till the end of the national mourning ‘’ says Salubusa.
He however said the rest of the programmes lined up in what the Association is calling ZAFTAR week will go ahead as planned.?This in effect means that the only programme postponed is the honouring of those who have made a mark in the audio-visual industry.
‘’ Through the ZAFTAR week , the country has the greatest share in ensuring that we introduce Zedwood as Zambia’s film industry which can play an active role in creating employment and putting more money in people’s pocket ,just like the late Head of State would say ‘’, explained Salubusa.
Zambia Copyright Protection Society (Zamcorps) boss, Eddify Hamukale says late President Sata will be remembered by myriads of artistes for invoking statutory instrument No.100, which allowed for the introduction of holograms to be affixed to genuine works of audio-visual arts.?Zambia One Comedy leader Derrick ‘Joburg’ Khondowe says the country has lost a true patriot who had the passion to see that the art industry grew to great strides capable of lifting artistes from the shackles of poverty.