adminPreparations for this year’s Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance finals are at an advanced stage as provincial finals close this week. The national finals will be held in Bulawayo on July 18 and 10 groups are expected to lock horns at the event.
Last week saw two provincial finals being held in Manicaland and Bulawayo with the winners in either province pocketing $500 each.
Enzimnyama Arts Ensemble scooped the top prize in Bulawayo at a contest held at Manor Hotel while in Manicaland, Dhuma Tasangana of Mutare won the competition held at YaDzonzai in Chipinge.
In Bulawayo Iluba Lemvelo Women’s Ensemble took second position while Imvimba Arts came third.
Chiwaraidze and Charurwa groups from Chipinge came second and third respectively in Manicaland.
Groups that came out second and third pocketed $300 and $200 repectively.
Enzimnyama dazzled with a good act that won the adjudicators’ nod.
The 13-member group, which entered the competition for the second time this year after having lost to Sekunjalo maAfrica last year, shrugged off competition from nine other traditional bands
Performing traditional, modern and contemporary dances, the group – which celebrated its sixth anniversary in February – is now preparing for the national finals.
“We’re working extra hard, perfecting our dance skills in preparation for the finals. We want to make sure that we’ll be at our best so we’re paying al lot of attention to our costumes,” Ezimnyama Arts Ensemble director Phibion Ncube said.
The group is ready to represent Bulawayo province and will have home advantage come July 18.
Other groups at the finals will include Jahunda Community Arts (Matabeleland South), Undi Gure (Midlands), Makarekare Dance Troop (Mashonaland East), Budiriro Arts (Mashonaland West), Gango Traditional Group (Masvingo) and Shingai Dance Troop (Harare). — Bulawayo Bureau/Entertainment Reporter.
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