Despite risks, Hifa still glitters

phenomenal growth with far-reaching spin-offs for the creative arts.
Every year there is depth and growth within the artistic community presented by Zimbabweans to the outside world.
Last year, over 20 000 passed through the gates of the festival and this year the figure is likely to increase, what with new exciting performances lined up. Other performances were sold out a week before the festival started.
Despite high risks and challenges, each year Hifa invariably glitters with artistic activity, pomp and zest. But that is just a small fraction of other scintillating performances lined up for the occasion.
Looking at Hifa from the perspective of the creative community, you soon realise that the festival has really put local arts on the international arena through its collaborations.
One of the major thrusts about Hifa is that it brings together creative minds through collaborations – something that makes the festival a unique experience.
Perhaps audiences have been delighted and enchanted by an array of collaborations, some of which have worked while others contained a high risk. But eventually, it was always the Zimbabwean artists who benefited from the synergies.
Angeline Kamba, the Hifa board of trustees chairperson, has said that every year presents its own challenges for the festival. But the good thing, she says, is that there are partners who make it all possible, in the end.
While the challenges are always there, the greatest success of Hifa is pinned on the fact that it’s the community and the artists who benefit.
Highly commended is the Hifa Direct, a mentorship programme which has breathed life into local theatre with the support from the British Council.
Elton Mujanana, Derek Nziyakwi, Tafadzwa Muzondo and Patience Tawengwa – to mention just a few – have all passed through the mentorship programme.
The performance of the play “Loupe” at the Edinburgh Festival – arguably the world’s largest art gathering – shows confidence in the Zimbabwean arts.
Since its debut launch at Hifa, Allegations has been staged in other parts of the continent, including at the Pan African Festival in Algeria where it thrilled audiences.
The handicraft and applied art industry comes alive during Hifa, with artists recording brisk business during the six-day festival.
On the visual arts front, business is always brisk for local sculptors and fine artists.
David Chinyama, who once had a one-man show at the festival, was invited by German galleries to showcase some of his breathtaking paintings last year.
Last year, the “About Face” theme took the audience back into time with a powerfully-crafted collaborative piece of over 60 performers titled Carmina Burana, which opened the festival.
Audiences this year should expect to see amazing musical collaborations they have never seen before. Local artists will exchange notes and vibes with the international community through the language of art.
A few examples of the achievements of Hifa include the collaboration of Mokoomba with Manu Gallo of Ivory Coast.
Mokoomba, the winners of the Music Crossroads Inter-regional Festival in 2008 won themselves tickets to tour Europe after their stunning performance at Hifa 2010.
Another group which gained proper recognition was Transit Crew who collaborated with Yasus Afari, a celebrated Jamaican dub poet.
Another beautiful performance last year was staged by Comrade Fatso (Sam Munro) on the main stage alongside Botswana’s stunning poet TJ Dema as well as Zimbabwe’s Outspoken and South African-based Zimbabwean rapper Zubz.
Giles Ramsay, the founder of Developing Artists based in the United States, attended Hifa 2006 and used the opportunity to identify local talent to feature in his multi-cultural play.
In 2007, Ramsay worked with stand-up comedians Victor Mave-dzenge and Michael Kudakwashe in a play titled Territory.
This was staged at the Edinburgh Festival and also in London.
Weaver Press subsequently published the play.
Back home, the Zambezi Express musical thrilled fans at Hifa 2010 and later had a run at Reps Theatre before touring Europe.
Generally speaking, Hifa has exposed many Zimbabwean groups to the international scene where they have flown the Zimbabwean flag high.
Other groups have clinched recording deals or received invitations to perform on the world stage.
Hifa editions have also given an impetus to local music promotion: Zimbabwean promoters have at least tried to bring international stars like Sean Paul, Akon, Capleton and Beenie Man to perform on a commercial scale.
But Hifa has never been run on a commercial basis as each year HIFAmigos is meant to give the disadvantaged groups a chance to enjoy and be part of the festivities free of charge.
Each year there are free performances along the First Street Mall where the festival “goes to the people” and engages all the citizens in celebrating the artistic diversity.
The mural painting on Matapi hostel in Mbare is one example of how Hifa is deep-rooted in the communities.
This year it has extended its influence to the prisoners – there will be musical performances in a numb a number of prisons.
HIFA has thus become more than just a six-day festival: it now goes way beyond a once-a-year affair to an affair that has a purpose for individuals and groups.