Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
DAPURAHUNZVA Arts Ensemble’s resounding victory at the Chibuku Neshamwari Manicaland provincial finals last Saturday has ignited a bold new chapter for the traditional dance troupe.
With eyes firmly set on national glory in Harare, the group is also preparing to carry Zimbabwe’s cultural heartbeat onto the international stage at a prestigious festival in Tanzania.
Having secured top spot with a captivating mbakumba performance, the former national champions believe their latest success is further evidence that discipline, preparation and commitment to preserving cultural heritage continue to pay dividends.
The victory at Mandel Leisure Centre earned Dapurahunzva the right to represent Manicaland Province at the Chibuku Neshamwari national finals scheduled for July at Harare Gardens, where they will seek to recreate the magic of 2022 when they lifted the coveted national title at the same venue.
The provincial finals showcased the depth of traditional dance talent in Manicaland, with several groups producing performances that kept both judges and spectators guessing until the final announcement.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service outfit, Mutare Remand Prison’s Manicaland School of Arts, finished second, and won US$1 500 after delivering a polished rendition of the chinyambera dance.
Their performance drew loud applause, with many convinced they had done enough to claim the top prize.
Chihomva Dance Group settled for third place, and received US$1 000 after impressing adjudicators and spectators with an energetic display of the zhana dance.
Three ZPCS groups took part, including Little Kraal Prison Farm’s Chisa Troop and Chipinge Prison’s Chivaraidze Traditional Dance Group.
Although neither finished among the top three, they each received US$500 participation prizes.
All participating groups received US$500 each, along with transport allowances.
Speaking after the victory, Dapurahunzva director, Keavan Simomondo, described the win as rewarding, but said the group is already looking ahead to the national-level challenges.
“We came into the competition well prepared. We were ready and hopeful, but we never take victory for granted.
“The standard of competition was very high, and all the participating groups performed exceptionally well.
“Our focus was on delivering our best performance and honouring our cultural heritage, our supporters and our community. History repeated itself because in 2024 we also came first at the same venue.
“We now pray that history repeats itself again at Harare Gardens, where we scooped the first national prize in 2022. We are grateful and humbled that the adjudicators found our presentation worthy of first place,” he said.
For Simomondo, the latest victory is, not merely about collecting trophies, but about maintaining standards that have made the group one of the country’s most respected traditional dance outfits.
“It is a great honour and a blessing to win. Winning again is both encouraging and humbling because it reminds us that consistency requires hard work, discipline and dedication.
“We see this victory, not as an endpoint, but as motivation to continue improving and representing our community and culture with excellence.
“Every competition presents a new challenge, and we know there is still a lot of work ahead before the national finals,” said Simomondo.
He said preserving Zimbabwe’s cultural identity remains at the heart of everything the group does.
“Our primary motivation is the preservation and promotion of Zimbabwean cultural heritage.
“Competitions such as Chibuku Neshamwari provide an important platform for artistes to celebrate our traditions, learn from one another, and inspire younger generations to appreciate our cultural identity.
“We also believe that every performance is an opportunity to grow as artistes. The stage allows us to share stories, values and traditions that have been passed down through generations,” he said.
According to Simomondo, the group’s winning presentation was carefully structured to balance authenticity, education and entertainment.
“Our presentation was carefully designed to highlight the richness, diversity and authenticity of Zimbabwean traditional culture while remaining entertaining and educational for the audience.
“We wanted people to enjoy the performance, but at the same time leave with a deeper appreciation of the cultural significance behind the dance,” he said.
The director also praised the contribution of both experienced members and newcomers who played a role in the group’s success.
“Like many performing groups, we continue to develop new talent, while retaining experienced members. This year we had a blend of seasoned performers and three newer members who had never participated in a competition before,” he said.
While celebrations continued in Watsomba, Dapurahunzva’s attention had already turned to the national finals and another major assignment on the international stage.
The group is set to represent Zimbabwe at the Bagamoyo International Cultural Festival in Tanzania in September, providing an opportunity to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage before a wider audience.
“As we celebrate this achievement, our attention now turns to the national finals and the event in Tanzania. We remain committed to represent Manicaland, Mutare and Zimbabwe with dignity and excellence wherever we perform,” said Simomondo.
Saturday’s event, organised by Delta Beverages in partnership with Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association and National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, was widely hailed as a success.
The usually quiet community of Watsomba came alive as hundreds of traditional dance enthusiasts gathered for a day filled with music, culture and entertainment.
Organisers received praise for smooth logistics, quality sound, effective security and efficient programme management, while entertainer, Wacharie, capped the festivities with a flawless performance after the competition.
Elsewhere, Midlands Province produced its representative for the national finals, with Chipolopolo Zambia of Kwekwe emerging victorious in a tightly contested provincial competition last Saturday.
Mhukahuru Dance Group and Zikuvave finished second and third respectively.
