African countries told to take art seriously

However, independent curator Raphael Chikukwa of Zimbabwe decried the fact that most African governments do not take art seriously. He called for the building of proper art educational infrastructure and museums on the continent. He also said educational curriculum in Africa should include art studies from pre-school to the university.

"Art educational infrastructures and I mean quality ones, are only found in South Africa. I have to applaud the government of Botswana for a change of policy that government departments must buy their decorating paintings and other art works only from Batswana if there is sufficient supply. That is a step in the right direction but our children need to be introduced to art studies at a very tender age not when their imagination is already changing," Chikukwa said.