HARARE – Pakare Paye Arts Centre founded by Oliver Mtukudzi in Norton, Zimbabwe, to develop individual artistic talent has scooped a BIG one at the annual National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) held here on Saturday night.

The centre received the Special National Arts Service Award in recognition of its service to Zimbabwe’s arts sector.

Mtukudzi was away in Colombia during the awards night attended by the who-is-who of Zimbabwe’s arts and business sectors but he sent his message of gratitude to the awards organizers for recognizing the services of his centre.

Left: The frontal view of Pakare Paye Arts Centre.

His publicist Shepherd Mutamba received the award on behalf of the institution.

NAMA, now in its tenth year, is organized by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and is the ultimate in local arts awards ceremonies rewarding excellence in music, literature, dance, arts media, arts personalities, arts services, film, television and theatre.

In awarding Pakaye Paye Arts Centre the prestigious honour NAMA said it recognized the effort by Mtukudzi in 2003 to turn dreams into reality and developing the academy into a massive complex nurturing talent.

Pakare Paye Arts Centre is situated 45 kilometers west of Harare. Its first phase became operational in 2005. Now it has just opened its second phase of development including lodgings for artists, business and holiday guests.

A hall, the Sam Mtukudzi Conference, is also operational now so is a family lounge under the second phase.

A shopping mall, the second Tuku Music studio, shopping mall, the second restaurant and other facilities are still under construction to add to already existing facilities that include an auditorium, outdoor stage, studio, administration offices, restaurant and bar, curio and gift shop and record bar.

Artists are offered facilities to develop talent free of charge in music and a diversity of instruments, drama, comedy, poetry and story-telling. Regardless of scanty resources the centre has continued to champion arts development. – tukumusik.com