Chapo Calls for More Investment in Creative Industries

Chapo made the remarks during the “Gratidão” concert in Maputo, which brought together Mozambican musicians from different generations on the same stage.

“We want to invest particularly in what we call the creative industries, so that culture and the arts become an asset that generates financial resources not only for artists, but also for the country,” the President said.

According to Chapo, greater recognition and investment in culture could also contribute to the development of tourism, a sector he described as particularly important for Mozambique, Southern Africa and the wider world.

The President also called for the preservation of Mozambican music and cultural values, highlighting the role played by older generations of artists in shaping and passing on the country’s national identity.

“We need to preserve our music, preserve the values of our culture and, above all, preserve this golden generation,” Chapo said.

He stressed that culture plays a fundamental role in passing the country’s history on to younger generations.

“A people without culture have no identity,” the President said, adding that the Government intends to continue working to preserve, promote and teach Mozambican culture.

During his address, Chapo once again defended plans to expand the National School of Music to Mozambique’s central and northern regions in order to broaden access to specialised arts education.

The President also called for measures to reduce the cost of musical instruments, pointing to taxes and other customs charges as factors that make equipment more expensive and limit access to specialised music education.

The National School of Music is based in Maputo and operates under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. It provides specialised training for musicians and other professionals in the arts sector.