Mr Barnabus Mawire

The Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe
Distinguished guests
Members of the Diplomatic corps
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my greatest pleasure to be given the opportunity to open this exhibition in celebration of works done by contemporary artist Victor Nyakauru.

Environment Africa is an organization that takes a holistic approach to environment management and recognizesits actions must address all factors inclusive of social, economic, political actions and policies. The environment is shaped by geography and biophysical factors and veld fires have recently become a common threat to our environment causing the deaths of people and animals. Other resources such as industrial by-products and other materials are threats that have simply been dumped unsustainably without being recycled.

As Environment Africa we seek to protect our ecosystems by creating awareness of the importance of our environment to our livelihood. Recently UNESCO granted the Middle Zambezi Region Biosphere Reserve status in recognition of Zimbabwe's efforts to reconcile economic and social development with environmental protection.  This move is set to preserve the quality of the environment we live in.

It truly is amazing how an artist like Victor can contribute to the sustenance of our natural environment through narration about so many diverse daily events and encounters that have woven themselves in Zimbabwe through the presence of creatures. Victor’s works compliment our endeavours to protect our land and the animals as they are of great significance to us because they help build our ecosystem.

The presentation of these works today is a demonstration of a different kind of art and ideas that highlight the revolution that has taken place in Zimbabwe’s visual arts. As a society we owe these artists because they give us an opportunity to observe life in two and three dimensional illustrations.

I do hope that this event is the beginning of other projects that will help create awareness on the environment.

The Country Manager , Environment Africa
Mr Barnabus Mawire