Chibuku dance festival comes to city

Auxilia Katongomara Entertainment Correspondent
THE Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival reaches its climax today when Bulawayo hosts its provincial final of the talent search competition. The event will see nine groups squaring up at Manor Hotel for a ticket to represent the province at national finals set for 31 August at the Harare Gardens, in Harare.

The competition is open to groups that practise traditional dances found in Zimbabwe.

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) programmes officer, William Nyandoro said the stage was set and all the groups were ready for the competition.

“All the groups are ready and raring to go, the stage is set and we are expecting an exciting competition this year,” said Nyandoro.

Competing groups will showcase various traditional dance routines.

How Mine groups Lilizela traditional dance group will present an imbube act, while Chimtale dance group will showcase the Chimtale Zambia dance.
Also taking part will be Hloseni who will perform the Jukwa dance, as well as Ziyawa and Umkhathi Theatre Works that will showcase the setapa dances.

Ingwenyama popularly known for its expertise in various dances are set to perform the Mchongoyo dance.

For the past two weeks, the provinces have been holding their festivals in Matabeleland region.

Matabeleland South hosted its festival on 8 June where How Mine Chihoda pipped all the groups for the sole ticket to the national finals.

Matabeleland North held its competition last Saturday, in Hwange and Victoria Falls group Umkhankaso Wamajaha came first.

This week all action will be at Manor Hotel as Bulawayo groups take to the stage to come up with the province’s representatives to the national finals.

Nyandoro said expectations are high that the best group will win the national finals this year.

“Proceedings of the day will kick off at 12 noon,” said Nyandoro.

Thandanani Women’s Ensemble was crowned national champions in 2007, Hloseni Arts came a second in 2009 and Kwabatsha finished third in 2010.

Umkhathi Theatre Works also came second at the national finals in 2011.

Winners of the provincial competition will walk away $500 richer, while the first runner-up pockets $300 and second runner-up gets $200.

All the participating groups will get $100 each.

Imvimbi Arts last year’s provincial winners will provide entertainment as the guest group.

Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival is organised by Zimbabwe Traditional Dance Association, co-ordinated by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and sponsored by Delta Beverages through the Chibuku brand.