Culture Week fiesta in top gear

note with various cultural and arts groups showcasing the diversity of cultures that Zimbabwe is endowed with.
The event marked the official national launch of the week-long cultural fete and by holding it in Gweru, the organisers – the National Arts Culture of Zimbabwe – made a wise move in that the province is also a hub of cultural diversity.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director Elvas Mari, his assistant Nicholas Moyo, musician Dudu Manhenga and Gweru-based gospel artistes Baba Ephraim Patai and his wife, Amai Patai, were some of the guests at the launch.
The artistes performed in line with the theme of this year’s celebrations, “Towards Professionalising the Arts” and expressed the need for society and the corporate world to recognise the arts as an industry that makes a contribution to the economy as well as sustaining livelihoods.
Youths and schoolchildren also learnt the importance of arts when they were given the chance to rub shoulders with some gurus of the industry.
The group, Fix Sangoma from Zvishavane, who exhibited a rich traditional dance, music and drum beating skills that left audiences spellbound.
They proved how imperative it is to preserve culture with their skills that tapped deeply into Zimbabwe’s culture and identity.
Chikumbiro Primary School from Gweru defied their ages to exhibit some scintillating dance moves.
Clad in their blue attire, the children personified the old adage “Catch them young” while exhibiting values of our diverse cultures.
Other schoolchildren who impressed were from Matenda Primary School, who also showed that the Midlands Province is the best in the industry.
A local apostolic choral group spiced up the launch with their melodious vibes that brought a spiritual touch to the event.
A senior citizen from Gweru who attended the event – 74-year-old Tobias Musundure – hailed the organisers for launching the celebrations in the Midlands Province.
The former National Railways of Zimbabwe employee, who retired in 2001, said he was impressed by everything her witnessed at the event.
“It is good to see young people observing our culture and also learning from their elders,” said Musundire.
The performing groups were clad in cultural dresses, and apart from the performances, there were also traditional dishes galore.
Other provinces launched their provincial celebrations that will run until May 21.