Strengthening the Creative Industries for Development in ... - unctad

PART 4. SECTOR SPECIFIC OVERVIEW 43
PART 4. SECTOR-SPECIFIC OVERVIEW
As mentioned in the introduction, this project pinpointed three possible sectors for action: the,
performing arts, the audio-visual and new media and publishing sector. The extent to which these
previously identified sectors become the focus of the project activities obviously depends on the
results of research on the ground and the assessment within each country. They must be coherent with
the aim to provide the most optimal possibilities for enhancing the creative industries in the country in
the short- and long-term perspectives. This section will look at the local situation in three predesignated
sectors and a number of additional sectors that are of relevance to the creative economy in
Mozambique. It will also make suggestions regarding the priority sectors, as well as those with greater
potential to generate employment and trade. From the trade perspective, the best performing sectors
according to UNCTAD, in Mozambique are the creative goods from visual arts, art crafts and fashion.
4.1 PERFORMING ARTS
After independence the government was keen on promoting a revival of culture and became directly
involved in promoting music and dance.
In 1978, the Ministry of Culture and Education organized a national dance festival that led to the
establishment of a number of organizations. As mentioned above, a group of dancers, musicians,
actors and storytellers was established in 1976 under the patronage of the Ministry. This group turned
professional and in 1983 officially became Companhia Nacional de Canto e Dança (CNCD). The
CNCD is based in Maputo but recruits the best dancers, musicians and performers from around the
country. The company has 50 members in total. The CNCD has been and continues to be instrumental
in promoting Mozambican culture around the world. Nimbu Productions is a similar organization that
also stages productions, although it is not as famous internationally as the CNCD.
In terms of its human resources practices, an alarming aspect is the tendency towards more
precariousness in the contracts, status and social benefits of the members of the CNCD. A labour law
exists and applies to all employers in Mozambique, 109 regardless of type of company and covers all
fields of activity in both the public and private sectors, so in practice performing artists should have
the same rights as other employers.
Concerning the infrastructure, the theatre in which the CNCD works and rehearses needs renovation.
The company is also currently going through restructuring and is trying to work on improving their
marketing promotion schemes.
109 Labour law of 20 July 1998.