HARARE, Jul 3 (NewsDay Live) -Widely-travelled business development expert, Albert Mapfumo of Afthonia Consultants says his recent workshop on digital and social media marketing, financial wellness, e-commerce and logistics at the Chitungwiza Arts Centre was inspired by lessons from his frequent travels to Europe where he saw Zimbabwean sculptures being sold for thousands of dollars, yet the original artists back home would have received only a fraction of that value.
Tendai Gwaravaza Chitungwiza Arts Centre chairperson and former Minister of Health Obadiah Moyo shared the vision and sealed an engagement deal to uplift the status of artists at the Chitungwiza Arts Centre and beyond. The workshop ran under the theme “Unlocking the Value of Zimbabwean Stone Sculpture and Art” and had facilitators from Ecobank, Afthonia and DHL. DHL shared best practices on packaging, tracking, and selecting cost-effective courier solutions including export documentation, customs processes, and safe crating techniques to ensure their artworks arrive intact and on time.
NewsDay Live had a lengthy chat with Albert Mapfumo and here are highlights of the interview.
Your workshop covers financial wellness. Why do you think this topic is critical for artists and creatives in today's economy?
Talent alone is not enough artists also need financial literacy to thrive. Most creatives earn in irregular cycles and often lack tools for budgeting, saving, or planning for growth. Financial wellness empowers
them to treat their art like a business for example tracking income, setting goals, and preparing for emergencies. It'sabout sustainability, not just survival. Artists can now reach global buyers without leaving Zimbabwe. By setting up digital storefronts on platforms like Afrikrea, Etsy, or even Facebook Shops, they can showcase their work to collectors around the world. With proper pricing, shipping knowledge, and storytelling, even a sculptor in Chitungwiza can receive an order from New York or Berlin.
