adminYeukai Karengezeka Arts correspondent
Preparations for the Tonga Culture Week set for May 22 at Semchembu in Gokwe North are at an advanced stage. Midlands provincial arts manager, Abigail Sivanda said several activities were lined up for the event.
“All is in place for the Culture Week and there are a lot of activities in store for arts lovers. We have a variety of cultural displays of the Tonga, Nambia, Shangwe, Ndebele and Shona-speaking people,” she said.
“We sent invites to Government officials and most of them have confirmed their presence. Traditional dance groups such as Chibantu Chesu and Zvapfukwa Performing Arts will perform. There will be poetry, storytelling and display of cultural artefacts used by people in the Gokwe area,” she said.
Meanwhile, preparations for the national culture week celebrations launch to be held this Saturday at Amphitheatre are gathering momentum.
The celebrations will run from May 17 to 24 and will be held under the theme “Promoting Cultural Diversity and Inclusion”.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe marketing officer Cathrine Mthombeni said the theme complements Government’s goal.
“The theme is in line with key cultural foundations of the new Constitution as well as the Government development blue print, the Zim-Asset,” she said.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Andrew Langa is expected to officially open the event.
The National Culture Week is coordinated by NACZ head office and implemented by the hosting province in which this year it is Bulawayo metropolitan.
Some of the activities to mark the launch include a street march by artistes and cultural activists, fashion show, music and dance performances, art and craft exhibition as well as herbal medicine exhibitions.
The commemorations bring together women’s groups, the youth and people with disabilities.
Online Reporter