adminSophia Chese Arts Correspondent
This year’s Jibilika Dance Festival finals which were held in Harare over the weekend saw Bulawayo’s two groups, Explosion Dance Crew and Break Equation coming first and second respectively.
Explosion Dance Crew shrugged off stiff competition from 15 other dance groups from different provinces and took home $500 while Break Equation collected $300 and Prototypes from Masvingo came out third and got $200.
Though the festival was almost disturbed by the rains, it managed to live to biling with the judges, competitors and audiences braving the showers.
In an interview with The Herald, festival director Plot Mhako said he was overwhelmed with the response the festival got and thanked everyone who came to support the event.
“I was deeply moved and humbled by this team of judges. They stood their ground and insisted that we continue with the show after two hours of rain stoppage.
“They braved the drizzling showers to judge the event and everyone who came the dancers and fans made the festival a success. Their humility and dedication is unmatched,” he said.
He said he was also humbled that all the three winning groups came from out of Harare.
“It shows that dance groups out side of Harare are working hard and we are encouraging them to continue.
“The champions will benefit from a number of mentorship and development opportunities for a year,” he said.
This is the third time that Bulawayo has taken the trophy and next year’s grand finale will be held in Bulawayo.
The festival is supported by the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe and the Swedish Embassy.
Founded in 2007, the festival aims to promote dance as a vehicle for youth talent development and a platform for recreation.
The festival has matured over the years, growing into a formidable national event.
It has exposed and nurtured a number of dancers and groups such as Magesh, Flip Floppers, Ghetto Kreepers and many other outfits that remain prominent on the arts scene.
Online Reporter