adminNqobizitha Dhlamini Sunday Leisure Reporter
PREPARATIONS for this year’s edition of the Jameson Victoria Falls carnival are at an advanced stage with the organisers saying the event will be bigger, bolder and better than it has ever been as locally and internationally recognised music names will be performing. The carnival is set to run from tomorrow to Wednesday.
A number of countries have benefited from hosting carnivals as they are not only an adventure of popular celebrations and musical performances, but an event that can bring social and economic benefits by attracting more tourists, promoting and bolstering a country’s culture and image.
Zimbabwe is one of the countries that has benefited from carnivals as a rich cultural exchange programme and as a strategy of promoting and marketing the country’s tourism industry.
The Jameson Victoria Falls carnival is an event that is expected to attract a lot of people from around the world, who will likely serve as the country’s ambassadors when they return home after spending a great time in the country.
In an interview, one of the organisers of the carnival, Emmanuel Tivatyi said preparations were already at an advanced stage with a number of activities having been lined up. He said some of the artistes have since confirmed their participation.
“I can confirm with confidence that this year’s edition is set to be bigger and better as preparations are already at an advanced stage. We have already received confirmation on various technicalities like equipment and transport and it is safe to say preparations are going smoothly,” he said.
Tivatyi said the event was set to be graced by both local and international artistes and some have since confirmed their participation.
“We are expecting South Africa’s electronic duo of Goldfish Live joined by the new face of pop music Beatenberg coming all the way from Cape Town, along with Zimbabwe’s own legend Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi and the famous reggae dancehall musician Winky D.
“Four artistes have confirmed so far and flight bookings have already been made and we will be receiving artistes from the 29th,” Tivatyi said.
Tivatyi expressed optimism on the turnout and experience of this year’s event as the lineup has programmes that have never been done before.
“This year we will be having the colour festival which will be done for the first time in Victoria Falls and fireworks are expected. We are also receiving support from the local community that has also been enthusiastic about the coming carnival hence we are hoping for a high turnout,” he said.
In recent reports, the group Goldfish said they were excited to be part of the carnival and they were looking forward to visiting the country.
“We’re so excited to be heading down to the Jameson Vic Falls Carnival this year. We’ve been playing all over the world but there’s nothing more special to us than playing in Africa, this will be our first ever performance in Zimbabwe, and we can’t wait to spend our New Year at that amazing place,” said the group in a statement.
The Jameson Vic Falls Carnival was lauded by the CNN as one of the top seven African music festivals to attend.
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