MUSEUMS AND

CULTURAL HERITAGE
IN ZIMBABWE
Needs analysis of the sector:
skills gaps & shortages
Research findings to inform the development of future
programmes in the Museums and Cultural Heritage
sector in Zimbabwe
Cultural Skills Research Zimbabwe, Sub Saharan Africa www.britishcouncil.org

September 2016 2
MUSEUMS AND
CULTURAL HERITAGE
IN ZIMBABWE
Needs analysis of the sector:
skills gaps & shortages
Research findings to inform the development of future
programmes in the Museums and Cultural Heritage
sector in Zimbabwe
Cultural Skills Research Zimbabwe, Sub Saharan Africa www.britishcouncil.org

Contents

About the cultural skills team 7

Background and research aims 7
The museum sector in Zimbabwe 9
Skills providers 13
Skills gaps and shortages 14
Appendix 1 – List of participating organisation 20
References 20

Terrazzo sculpture of tortoise depicted besides the front of the Human Sciences museum. Generally the
September 2016 4 in sculptures, folklore and literary works represent many values associated with
portrayal of a tortoise
ubuntu(humility, wisdom, patience, perseverance etc)
Cultural Skills Research Zimbabwe, Sub Saharan Africa www.britishcouncil.org

Foreword

This report is indebted to the contributions

of many who helped us define directions
and identify critical issues. It is my hope
that the research adds valuable market
knowledge of cultural skills needs in
Zimbabwe. The research explored the
skills gaps and shortages within the
Museums and Cultural heritage Sector.

This research provides evidence-based

findings to inform the development of
new products and programmes in the
sector. The names of those participating
in the research are included at the
end of this report. We would like to
acknowledge their valuable contribution
and continued support in the sector.

Director, British Council

Sam Harvey

Gareth Nyandoro - Ihohoho Namadzibaba Ishimairi

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September 2016 6
Cultural Skills Research Zimbabwe, Sub Saharan Africa www.britishcouncil.org

About the Cultural training programmes and products for

professionals and young people.
Skills team
In collaboration with British Council
From museums to music, fashion to Zimbabwe, anecdotal evidence and
film, the skills that support the artistic preliminary conversations with museum
process are vital to the development of a and heritage professionals identified
thriving cultural sector around the globe. a potential opportunity to provide
Skills range from technical specialism, programmes with an impact for the sector
to leadership and management; policy and the wider cultural sector in Zimbabwe.
and qualification development, to youth As such, the research project had the
engagement and English language. following objectives:
The Cultural Skills team strengthens Identify the technical and transversal skill gaps
cultural relations between the UK and in the sector
the rest of the world through sharing Locate the professional shortages, if any
knowledge and developing mutual benefit. Collate the current provision in educational and
skills training for the sector
With UK and international partners,
Identify the market demand for paid
the unit works to build sustainable programmes for professionals and young
cultural skills programmes that develop people
the skills of those practitioners and Understand and outline the relevant cultural
institutions across the whole of the UK policies and museums operations frameworks
and internationally, supporting the artistic, Identify areas of potential impact by the British
Council from professionals in the field
social and economic benefits of a thriving Identify potential partners and co-investors
and dynamic cultural sector. Identify the most appropriate business model
for future programming
https://www.britishcouncil.org/cultural-skills-unit Provide recommendations on programme
topics and structure, as well as target audience

Background and
To respond to the preliminary identification
research aims of a potential opportunity in country, a
As part of the larger Cultural Skills researcher from Cultural Skills worked
research project in Sub Saharan alongside British Council colleagues in
Africa, research has been undertaken Zimbabwe to develop the research tools,
in Zimbabwe to explore the skills gaps aims, and methodology. This research will
and shortages in the museums and inform prioritisation of skills needs and
cultural heritage sector. This preliminary development of various programmes.
piece of research provides an initial
understanding to inform future skills
Mode of Transport: Young boys riding a tamed oxen

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The research methodology managers, curators, specialists, triangulating them. The number of surveys
marketing managers, and exhibition could be due to several reasons, including
designers. Additionally, we spoke to lack of access to internet connections and
22 young creative people over 3 focus computers, the small size of the sector,
The research includes four main strands; group discussions to understand their and the potential lack of knowledge of
desk research, face to face interviews, perspective of entering into the cultural how to engage with the sector.
focus group discussions, and an online sector and their opinions on the museums
survey. Each strand of the research is and heritage sector.
detailed below. Research limitations
A list of organisations who took part in the
Desk research research can be found in appendix 1. While every effort was made to include
This involved collating and analysing experts from across the museums sector,
relevant information, articles, and previous Online survey time and financial constraints made it
local and regional research to understand impossible to cover every profession and
In order to ensure that the research subsector. Nor was it possible to undertake
more about the museum sector in
covers a wide geographic area, we sent interviews in every key town and city.
Zimbabwe as well as the cultural sector in
out an online survey to a range of cultural While we did visit three of the five national
general. Additionally, it was an opportunity
practitioners from across Zimbabwe. The museums in Zimbabwe, we only spoke
to identify what, if any, previous research
survey sought to put some of the findings on the phone to professionals from the
had identified as skills gaps in the sector.
from the interviews to the test. In total, 51 ones we did not visit. Subsequently, while
individuals took part in the online survey Front view of Amagugu International Heritage
this report provides illustrative insights
While every effort was made to include Centre. Murals used as learning aids on
Face to face interviews into emerging skills gaps and shortages,
experts from across the museums sector, indigenous history
it is not a comprehensive mapping of the
time and financial constraints made it and culture.
We spent ten days in Harare, Bulawayo, heritage sector in Zimbabwe.
and Gweru conducting face to face impossible to cover every profession and
interviews. In total, we spoke to 27 subsector. Nor was it possible to undertake Finally, the final number of collected
individuals representing 20 organisations. interviews in every key town and city. surveys cannot be identified as a
Participants included policy makers, While we did visit three of the five national statistically significant number and
senior staff at national museums and museums in Zimbabwe, we only spoke will therefore be used as to illustrate
galleries, and organisational directors. on the phone to professionals from the the qualitative findings as opposed to
Additionally, we spoke to organisations ones we did not visit. Subsequently, while triangulating them. The number of surveys
affiliated with the sector through funding this report provides illustrative insights could be due to several reasons, including
or corporate portfolios. into emerging skills gaps and shortages, lack of access to internet connections and
it is not a comprehensive mapping of the computers, the small size of the sector,
heritage sector in Zimbabwe. and the potential lack of knowledge of
Focus group discussions
how to engage with the sector.
Finally, the final number of collected
We conducted a total of 5 group surveys cannot be identified as a
discussions with 35 technical staff of statistically significant number and
museums, galleries, and the national will therefore be used as to illustrate
archives. Participants included middle the qualitative findings as opposed to

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The Museum Sector displayed in Figure 1 below. Qualitative

interviews with research participants
in Zimbabwe were able to provide more insight into
the reasons behind the seeming lack of
The museum sector within the growth in the sector in Zimbabwe.
wider economy

The economic situation in Zimbabwe has

affected most sectors. Due to a number
of governmental policies in the late 1980s
and early 1990s, inflation rose steadily
with rates reaching the triple digits in
2008. However, after a move to legalize
the use of foreign currency in 2009,
and with the majority of citizens and Snail and pangolin being part of the terrazzo sculptures standing in the reflecting
corporations moving to the use of the US pools besides the Human Sciences Museum entrance
dollar, the economy has stabilized and
citizens are now once again able to regain
their purchasing power. Figure 1 – Perceptions of the museum sector
in Zimbabwe over the past five years
Despite this recent positive change, the
museum sector in Zimbabwe continues
to suffer. There is a general lack of job
opportunities within the predominantly
governmental museum sector and this
is compounded by general job cuts in
the sector. More importantly, budget

cuts from training, exhibition, and

development budgets have all affected
the sector. More than one third of survey
respondents agreed that the museum
sector has shrunk in the last five years
in comparison to the wider economy, and
another third agreed that it had remained
the same. Less than one fifth of the
respondents viewed the sector as having
grown in the last five years. When probed
further, respondents were able to divide
the growth and shrinking rates further, as

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operations. However, within the current Gallery of Harare, the National Gallery works on documenting, preserving,
economic conditions, budget cuts have of Bulawayo, and the National Gallery and promoting the indigenous cultural
reduced their programme operations as of Mutare organise exhibitions, artist heritage of Zimbabwe by engaging
well as their training and development exchanges, artist development, and with the public through educational
budgets. While this is a challenge, it has educational programmes in a robust and cultural programmes[ Amagugu
also provided these well-established and regular manner. Additionally, the International Heritage Centre http://www.
institutions with the opportunity to work national galleries are able to establish amaguguheritage.org/who-we-are/ ]. That
collaboratively with various funders and collaborations and partnerships with being said, many research participants
has pushed them to seek out new and other galleries, both regionally and identified the need for more contemporary
sustainable methods of operations. internationally, as well as access funding readings of Zimbabwean heritage at
through various donor bodies. the national museums, some of which
The national museums in Zimbabwe carry information in exhibitions and
operate on a geographic and thematic displays from the pre-independence era.
When we talk about the museum sector, unless otherwise
approach, where each venue represents Additionally, some participants highlighted
View of a terrazzo sculpture stated, we include art galleries and sites of archaeological
a specific geographic region and theme. interest as part of this. the importance of telling the Zimbabwean
depicting a praying mantis
The southern region is looked after by story by and through Zimbabweans; the
besides the Human Sciences
Museum entrance
the Masvingo Great Zimbabwe museum, The role of Zimbabwe’s skill of effectively articulating this story is
the central region is looked after by the cultural heritage institutionally lacking. Indeed, the biggest
Military Museum of Gweru, the Museum strength in Zimbabwe is the rich and
of Natural History operates in Bulawayo The UNESCO World Heritage Convention diverse heritage itself.
What does the museum sector in the western region, Harare’s Museum lists five sites in Zimbabwe inscribed
look like? of Human Sciences looks after the on the World Heritage List. There are
northern region, and the Mutare Museum three cultural sites, the Great Zimbabwe
The museum sector in Zimbabwe is responsible for the eastern region of National Monument, Khami Ruins National We need home-grown ideas of how
has fallen successively under several Zimbabwe. The main challenge facing to collect our stories. Museums now
different ministries since the country’s the majority of the public institutions is, Monument, and Matobo Hills; as well as are just looking after what was given
independence in 1980. Newly created in according to research participants, the two natural sites, Mana Pools National to them, not finding our own stories.
September 2015, the Ministry of Rural inability to regularly change or enhance Park, and Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) There’s nothing post-independence or
Development, Promotion and Preservation current exhibitions, and the inability to [ UNESCO World Heritage Convention post 1975. They’re fire fighting, fixing,
of National Culture and Heritage aims to provide regular programming, both due to on Zimbabwe: http://whc.unesco.org/en/ instead of focusing on their main goals.
gather the culture and heritage portfolio decreased budgets in development and statesparties/zw ]. The country is trying to be someone
under a dedicated ministry. National training. The educational programming at else from a different perspective.’ –
Monuments and Museums of Zimbabwe museums is mostly comprised of school Despite on-going economic and political Research participant.
is the department directly associated with visits to the museum sites as part of challenges, all UNESCO sites were
all public heritage sites and museums. mandatory school activities. ratified successively between 1986 and
2003. While the tangible cultural heritage
Zimbabwe’s five world UNESCO heritage The National Galleries operate as quasi- of Zimbabwe is clear, much of the
sites, five National Museums, and three governmental institutions as they fall intangible heritage and indigenous culture
National Galleries all fall under this under the same ministry as the museums has scarcely been preserved. Locations
ministry, which has previously carried but have a larger degree of financial such as the Amagugu International
the sole financial responsibility of their and operational control. The National Heritage Centre in the Matobo region

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The sector’s relationship galleries in Zimbabwe have also been

with the state challenged with the departure of previous
funding bodies from the country, including
the Norwegian and Swedish cultural aid
The need for cultural institutions and agencies. Other large donors, including
heritage sites to move away from financial the EU, have shifted some thematic
dependency on the state was identified focus to other developmental priorities
by all participants. The move towards in the region. As such, there is a gap in
developing more sustainable methods of terms of funding for training in the sector
operation is now challenged with a lack which provides an opportunity for future
of training opportunities and access to programmes to be developed for training
potential partners and co-investors. As of current professionals. This will enable
such, a future programme developed to the enhancement of the sector, as well
address skills gaps and opportunities in as improve the economic contribution of
Zimbabwe should work on establishing the sector to the overall economy, which
immediate results-driven skills gaps in the long term could provide incentive
training in this area, with a focus on long- for the creation of more job opportunities
term establishment of partnerships and to meet the demand expressed by those
collaborations. wishing to enter into the sector.
Some participants also discussed the Research participants identified that skills
challenge of governmental bureaucracy training in alternative methods of income
which slows down the process of change generation, business and financial models,
and hinders some access to opportunities and creative sustainability methods are
for both professionals and institutions as all needed at this point in time to help
a whole. As such, any future programmes them focus their efforts in enhancing and
should be mindful of this challenge by expanding their operations.
allowing plenty of time to work through
this bureaucracy and endeavouring
to establish relationships with the
appropriate governmental bodies.
‘We have failed to adapt to the
changing environments mainly due to
The funding gap government priorities to other sectors.
So the arts and culture sector has
In addition to a reduced allocation of been marginalised in terms of funding,
funding from the responsible ministry and prioritisation, and promotion, from
department, the national museums and Masimba Hwati - Urban Totems
local authorities and even the private
sector.’ – Research participant
UNESCO World Heritage Convention on Zimbabwe: http://
whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/zw
Amagugu International Heritage Centre http://www.
amaguguheritage.org/who-we-are/

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University to compound impact levels. universities or further education colleges

to learn a new skill related to their role.
However, what is more common in the field Additionally, 69% of survey participants
is for professionals working in the sector felt that the museum sector in Zimbabwe
to have a specialisation in archaeology or suffers from a shortage of skills providers
history, with a thorough knowledge of the for certain skills.
collections and monuments themselves,
rather than specific museology expertise.
While this knowledge of the collections
Preparedness and
is essential to the understanding and qualifications for work
development of strong museums,
research participants often highlighted Over half of all survey participants, and
that a strong knowledge in management, the majority of face to face interview
transversal and museology skills is also participants, identified that recent school
needed to create a more effective and and university graduates were overall not
efficient sector. This includes business well prepared to work in the museum and
development, marketing, programming, cultural heritage sector. When probed
curatorial, guest relations, and managerial further, participants explained that while
skills specific to the sector. The main graduates have the appropriate level of
critique of the current provision of formal qualifications for academically focussed
educational opportunities for the sector is skills such as curating and archiving, they
the theoretical nature of all courses, the are under-qualified for business support
Woman grinding millet. Part of meal preparation for households. lack of practical exposure, and the lack of roles (such as marketing and business
continued formal education outside post- development) as well as for technical
graduate degrees. roles (such as exhibition design) and
require a lot of on the job training.
Skills providers management, curatorial skills, and cultural
heritage.
Interview and focus group participants
Museum education courses identified that they are often unable to
find continued professional development
More specifically, discussions with the programmes to enhance their skills within
In terms of museum and cultural Midlands State University’s Archaeology,
heritage programmes at universities in Zimbabwe. They are often required to
Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies travel abroad to neighbouring countries to
Zimbabwe, there are several options highlighted the efforts by the academic
for individuals wishing to pursue this access suitable courses, but are unable
staff to enhance and modernise the to do so due to a lack of financial means.
line of work. Midlands State University, current curriculums at the undergraduate
Zimbabwe Open University, Great Additionally, their organisations are unable
and graduate levels. Future programme to fund them to attend these programmes.
Zimbabwe University, Chinoy University, development in the area of education and
Lupana State University, and NUST all Similar to face to face participants, 56%
curriculum engagement should aim to of survey respondents identified that
offer programmes which cover museum work with institutions like Midland’s State
studies, archiving programmes, museum they would look into options available at

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Figure 2 – How well qualified are school and university leavers for roles in different areas which survey participants gave. Similar to
of museum work? responses by interview and focus group
discussion participants, the following skills
were identified to be the most missing in
the sector: digital technologies, marketing
skills for the sector, business development
skills, audience development, project
management, and financial skills
(including budgeting and income
generation). While not a specific skill,
exposure to international best practice
was often highlighted as an important
missing area. Both interview and survey
participants identified that there are not
enough opportunities for professionals
in the sector to learn about professional
benchmarks around the world to enhance
their standards and reach an international
level.

Sample size: 39 respondents funding crisis for national institutions sector. They explained that while jobs at
means that while the museums, archives, these institutions seemed stable and had
Supporting recent and galleries are able to take on unpaid good benefits as they are governmental
or stipend-based work attachments for jobs, they identified that they lacked
graduates students for up to a year, they are unable the knowledge of what the career paths
to retain that knowledge and build on look like outside of being a historian or
While attachments and work placements their investment due to a lack of available ethnographer.
are common and often mandatory for vacancies and a shortage of funding
university students, research participants
explained that the low quality of learning
opportunities. Skills gaps and
which happens at the attachments Young people with whom we spoke at shortages
affects their impact. Additionally, the group discussions also identified that The research sought to understand
real disconnect happens when students it was often difficult to understand the exactly where the gaps lay with regards
graduate and are unable to find jobs due sub-sectors and the different professions to skills in the museum sector. The
to the small size of the sector as well as involved in the museums and heritage following figure illustrates the responses
the hiring freeze at all museums. The
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Figure 3 – What kinds of qualifications, skills or experience are missing

from the museum sector?

Sample size: 34 respondents and finance skills (including income

generation).
When asked if the sector suffers from a
shortage of suitable qualified, skilled, or
experienced professionals to fill certain
roles, 82% of survey participants and
many interviewed participants said yes.
When probed further, survey respondents
identified that the top three under-
subscribed areas of technical skills are
exhibition design, restoration, and project
management skills. Survey respondents
also identified that the top under-
subscribed areas of transversal skills are
marketing, digital technologies, business

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Figure 4 – Which skills are over and under-subscribed within the – means that some professionals in the
museum sector, and which are about right? sector were quick to highlight self-reliant
business modelling as being more vital
Digital technologies than fundraising and proposal writing.
Marketing
International exposure to best practice Many respondents identified that while
Audience development business skills are important, financial skills
Entrepreneurship in budgeting, forecasting, and accounting
Project management were often missing. Professionals in the
field learned about financial skills often
Finance (including budgets and income…
through on the job training or studied
Business skills
finance but not in a way that is directly
Restoration related to the museums and heritage
Creativity sector. Some respondents explained that
Under-subscribed
Exhibition design it was time to think seriously about income
Management and leadership Over-subscribed generation as part of the move towards
Policy Supply meets demand treating museums as businesses.
Communication
Archiving Additionally, it was highlighted throughout
Curating all interviews that learning marketing
skills specific to the sector were needed.
Team-working
Many marketing professionals who are
General museum management currently based at museums develop their
Other technical skills skills by learning what it means to market
Other soft skills a museum on the job as they mostly
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% come from a background in corporate
marketing. Participants identified that
Percentage of Respondents digital skills should work hand in hand with
marketing skills to move museums into
the use of modern technologies, including
Sample size: 28-33 respondents and galleries, were keen to highlight also highlighted the need for all staff
social media and relevant communication
the necessity in establishing a business members to understand how to look at
Interview participants and technical staff technologies. The majority of institutions
mind set within their organisations. They museums as businesses – from front of
who participated in group discussions in Zimbabwe currently do not employ the
believe that as places which have relied house staff, to shop staff, to the curators
were able to expand further on the skill use of social media or digital technologies
on governmental financial support in the and exhibition developers.
gaps and shortages, explained further in their work and marketing professionals
past, they need to move away from this
below. are still learning about its effective use,
model into an income generating model. The decrease in funding opportunities
especially within promotion and collections
This includes the need to learn skills in through traditional sources due to
Business related skills departments. This includes skills such
proposal writing, fundraising, financial economic and political difficulties –
as website development and database
Research participants, especially management, business planning, and including foreign funding bodies like the
management. The Museum of Natural
technical staff within established museums effective resource management. They Norwegian and Danish funding bodies
History in Bulawayo provides a good

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example of best practice in the country in established sector.

terms of its marketing department’s use of
social media and digital technologies for ‘National Museums is very knowledgeable
audience engagement, and would be a right at the top. What’s missing is marketing,
good partner in the development of future new technologies to showcase, [and]
programmes around this specific skills creative use of social media. There are
training opportunity. Additionally, gallery great custodians but lacking in the newer
professionals spoke of the necessity skills needed.’ – Research participant
of learning about online buying and
selling, alongside correct pricing models, While the sector has the advantage of
to enhance their income generation strong collections and a rich cultural
chances. While some institutions identified heritage, the engagement with the
that it would be a challenge to fund any community and the average Zimbabwean
expensive equipment or software needed, is sparse. Audience development and
a practical understanding of the skills engagement was identified as a missing
needed would place professionals on a skill which needs to be addressed so
better standing and would allow them to that museums can move from being
engage better with local audiences as well seen as only places for school learning
as enhance connections with international and into an interactive experience for all
counterpart Zimbabweans and others who visit. The
way in which the economic situation has
In relation to archiving departments, which affected the international tourism industry
many professionals felt were sufficient in Zimbabwe means that new methods
and had well qualified individuals, need to be utilised to engage with the
practitioners felt that there is a wealth of domestic tourist. Professionals were keen 7th Class Steam locomotive Bulawayo – Mbalabala Special
international best practice available in to learn about how to engage with different
digital skills for the archiving subsector, kinds of people, digitally as well as at the
including electronic data management, museums and sites. This is an area which
digital library management, preservation cut across collections display, exhibition
the responsibilities and achievements Many participants explained that project
for fragile audio-visual formats, database development, museum management,
of fellow staff members, as well as gain management skills would raise the
training for ICT, database creation and guest relations, and online engagement.
insight into the collections and archives of standard of everyone’s work and make the
maintenance, and data security which Some participants indicated that this skill
the institutions. Participants believed this sector a more impactful one. This includes
could be rolled out in Zimbabwe to further could be beneficial alongside marketing
would also help in marketing the museums skills such as project planning, timelines,
enhance this sub-sector. skills as museums need to both bring in
and engaging with various community budgets, execution, and communications.
larger audiences and learn to engage with
members. This is a skills need which This is another skill which participants felt
Participants often spoke of the need them better.
could be addressed through examples of could be addressed through examples
to address the above skills – business
best practices in communication styles on and workshops of international best
development, marketing, and digital Additionally, participants highlighted the
institutional levels. practice in management styles.
skills – at the forefront of any skills importance of effective communication
development, as they are the skills which skills in an internal setting to ensure that
will enable sustainable continuation of the all staff members understood more about

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Museum management well preserved, participants identified

that curatorial and collections display
management skills in their own right need
to be learned to enhance the capacities of
Many participants identified that the the professionals already in place. Many
professionalization of the sector can institutions are unable to hire curators
be achieved by a more thorough individually and therefore must rely on the
understanding of museology. The directors experience of their specialists instead.
and managers of museums are often This has worked well previously but was
scientists, historians, archaeologists, still identified as an area which could be
and specialists in the field, who are able improved.
to greatly enrich the collections and the In terms of exhibition development and
calibre of information presented at the
institutions. design, many participants identified that
the artists and designers at the museums
However, participants explained that are very knowledgeable. However, two
a better understanding of museum challenges face them: development of
studies and cultural heritage studies new and innovative exhibitions, the lack of
would greatly enhance the level of a pedagogical understanding of exhibition
effective management at the museums. development (most professionals have
Participants also explained that museum learned on the job and from others before
management should be a mandatory skill them), and a general shortage in experts
for all middle and senior management to fill these positions. There is a general
professionals. Professional monument worry that the small number of exhibition
site management skills were also experts in Zimbabwe will eventually retire
highlighted by some participants as an and will not have others to take their
area of need. If explored further as a place. Exhibitions teams at each museum
possible skills programme opportunity, are usually very small, if they exist at all.
the local context and history will have to
be taken into central consideration. Most participants identified the importance
of storytelling as part of the exhibitions
development process. This is a skill which
Technical skills participants felt is missing almost entirely.
While this could be an interesting area of a
skills training programme, it must take into
Generally speaking, participants identified
consideration the local context, history,
that the specialist ethnographers at
and what many participants coined “telling
each museum are also the collections
the Zimbabwean story”.
managers and thev curators of their
Often, there is a wider challenge of
respected area of expertise. While this Terrazzo sculpture of a chameleon showcased besides the front of the
inaccessible collections which are
means that the rich heritage is generally Human Sciences museum entrance.
centrally state-controlled. Skills in

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government engagement and policy audience members and engaging with

advocacy were identified as potential those outside the formal education
areas of development which could impact system, not just school children. This
the sector positively. There is a need to included interest in mobile community
increase access to available collections so museums, programming for different
that specialists and collections managers people and age groups, and interactive
can create new exhibitions and displays. learning methods.

Some participants also identified the need

to raise the professional standards and
introduce innovative international best
practice in the areas of documentation,
conservation, preservation and
restoration. With the specialist knowledge
and wealth of monuments and artefacts
available, many research participants felt
that it was a setback to continue using old
methods of documenting collections and
conserving artefacts. Some specialists
such as taxidermists and archivists
explained that old techniques are proving
to cause more damage than benefit. This
is due to a combination of a lack of funding
and mismanaged resources as well as a
lack of knowledge and training in new and
improved methods.

Finally, education and outreach

programming skills were generally
identified to be doing well overall but in
need of updates. Participants explained
that the majority of those involved in
educational programming at museums are
educators and ex- teachers, which means
they enjoy a wealth of skills in creating
educational programmes for students
and young learners especially. However,
professionals in those departments
highlighted that they would like to be able
to learn more about new and interesting
ways of portraying information to various

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Appendix 1 – List of participating organisations

Alliance Francaise
Amagugu International Heritage Centre
Culture Fund
Delta Beverages
EU Delegation, Governance Section
Great Zimbabwe Museum
Midlands State University, Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage
Military Museum in Gweru
Museum of Natural History in Bulawayo
Mutare Museum of Antiquities
National Archives
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Gweru
National Gallery of Zimbabwe
National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo
National Museum of Human Sciences
National Railways of Zimbabwe
National University of Science and Technology, Dept. of Records and Archives Management
Railway Museum
Village Unhu
Zimbabwe German Society

References

Amagugu International Heritage Centre http://www.amaguguheritage.org/who-we-are/ National Gallery of Zimbabwe. http://www.nationalgallery.co.zw/

Bertelsmann Stiftung, BTI 2016 — South and East Africa Regional Report. Gütersloh:
Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2016. National Monuments and Museums of Zimbabwe. http://nmmz.co.zw/

Bertelsmann Stiftung, BTI 2016 — Zimbabwe Country Report. Gütersloh: Bertelsmann Stiftung, UNESCO World Heritage Convention: Zimbabwe. http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/zw
2016. Retrieved on 1 September 2016.

Chitiyo, Knox and Kibble, Steve. Zimbabwe’s International Re-engagement: The Long Haul to World CP International Database of Cultural Policies: Zimbabwe. http://worldcp.org/zimbabwe.
Recovery. Chatham House, The Royal Institute of International Affairs, 2014. php IFACCA 2015.

Esther Chipashu, Curator , National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe

GRM International Zimbabwe Ltd. Young Urban Artists Needs: Assessment Report. 2015.

Mabasa, Ignatius (ed.). Mawonero/Umbono: Insights on Art in Zimbabwe. Kerber Verlag:

Germany. British Council, 2015.

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Men drinking traditional beer - beer drinking was, and still is, a group process in tandem with the communal nature of African societies.
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