Veteran film producer honoured Veteran arts supporter and film producer, David Khabo has been honoured with a Life Time Achievement Award by Siyaya Arts as part of the annual Ibumba Arts Festival.
Khabo was conferred with the award at the opening night of the festival at Stanley Hall, Makokoba suburb on Thursday evening.
Ibumba Arts Festival organisers said Khabo deserved the award owing to many years that he has invested towards supporting the arts and artistes in general.
“Khabo worked for the Bulawayo City Council for many years and was in charge of the council’s community halls,” said from Siyaya Arts. “He used to give arts groups space to rehearse. Through his kind gesture, many arts groups were formed in the city’s high density suburbs. Were it not for that, most of the outstanding artists we know of would not have made it to where they are today”.
Speaking after receiving the honour, Khabo said he felt humbled by Siyaya Arts’ kind gesture.
“I would like to encourage our artistes in the city to carry on with their work. I know there are many difficulties that you face in the arts industry but you have to soldier on,” said Khabo.
He worked for the local authority as early as 1980 when the country attained independence and offered arts groups community halls where they could rehearse from during that time.
He was also involved in the production of the feature film, The Power of One that opened up acting opportunities for Bulawayo based actors and actresses.
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“I gave space to a number of arts groups,” he told NewsDay in an interview. “I also used to give advice where necessary. Through that interaction, I began to know a lot of them”.
Khabo said it was disheartening to note that artistes did not receive a lot of support from the government.
“Whether they like it or not, politicians cannot do without artists,” he said.
He called on artistes to ensure that they are not “used” through demanding payment for services rendered.
