admin
Arts Reporter
The 2023 edition of the Chibuku Neshamwari Dance Festival will have its last provincial contest at Gungwa Bar at Chikwanha in Chitungwiza this weekend ahead of the national finals in two weeks.
The Harare provincial competition will provide the 10th national contestant, with nine others having been selected through other provincial competitions.
“Chitungwiza, this weekend is yours. Let’s come, enjoy and celebrate dance and music at Gungwa Bar, Chikwanha,” said Delta Beverages general manager corporate affairs Patricia Murambinda.
“It has been an exciting Chibuku Neshamwari Dance Festival, where provincial competitions kicked off on May 27. Preparations have begun in earnest for the Chibuku Neshamwari National Final to be held on July 29 at Harare Gardens.”
Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance festival will this year celebrate 60 years of existence.
The celebrations will run under the theme, “Bira Remadhanzi! 60 years of Sithokozisa Ngezomgido!”.
Earlier this year, in a statement, Delta Corporation marketing director, Irimayi Muzorewa, said it was systems go for the dance festival.
“Chibuku Neshamwari will run 10 provincial finals, which will culminate in a national final, where provincial finalists will battle it out for the top spot,” he said. “Winners get to walk away with monetary prizes at both provincial and national level. The national final prizes are as follows; 1st prize US$15 000, 2nd prize US$10 000, 3rd prize US$7 500.
“Participants are required to register their groups with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and ZNTDA (Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association) to be able to participate.”
Having made its debut in Mbare at Mai Musodzi Hall, the festival has stood the test of time.
Chibuku works closely with its partners, the National Arts Council Zimbabwe (NACZ) and ZNTDA, in promoting and developing the arts in the community. Last year, the edition was held at Harare Gardens and Dapurahunanzva from Manicaland province was crowned winners.
The group performed Mbakumba dance.
After lifting the trophy, Dapurahunanzva leader, Keaven Simomondo, said their hard work had paid off.
“This wasn’t our first time performing at the Chibuku Neshamwari finals. We’ve been participating since 2003 and have won four provincial finals. But this was our first time scooping the national prize,” he said.
“Ever since we’ve been coming to the national finals and losing, we’ve been taking notes and going back to the drawing board to strategise. We really worked hard to ensure we clinched it and I’m glad it paid off.” Simomondo said they performed different types of dances, but they chose Mbakumba for the competition.
Online Reporter