EDITORIAL : Use the prize money wisely

WINNERS of the 60th Chibuku Neshamwari Dance Festival pocketed a cool US$15 000 on Saturday.

That is quite a massive pay cheque for coming first in the country’s premier cultural festival.

Sekunjalo MaAfrica cultural ensemble from Bulawayo are the new kings when it comes to the traditional dances in this country.

The first runners-up pocketed US$10 000 while the second runners-up took home US$7500 richer.

The performance from the contestants were of a high quality and it’s sad that, at the end of the contest, only one group had to be the overall winners.

From choreography, wardrobe and stage communication, it was clear all the groups had come well prepared for the show.

It was the grand finale many cultural groups had hoped it would be.

The good thing, too, is that our traditional dancers are now being rewarded in a befitting manner.

However, there are genuine concerns that some groups might need help on how to use their prize money.

It should be put to good use.

In most cases, divisions usually rock groups when they win big.

Greed usually sows the seeds of divisions as some members end up feeling they are being short-changed.

In most cases, there are some band members who hardly get anything from the prize money.

We have had the cases where the group leaders usually pocket the bigger chunk of the cake, forgetting others, who helped to write the success story.

This should be avoided at all cost.

It’s sad for people to forget one another, especially when success knocks on their doors.

Forgetting others, who contributed to the movement’s success story, should never be allowed to happen.

Players in the creative sector should learn to share and work as a unit.

These dances define us as a nation.

We can’t be a nation without our identity.

We thank Delta Beverages for their tireless efforts to recognise this important sector and ensure that traditional dance remains a big part of our lives.

That the company has been doing it for 60 years now shows their commitment to ensure that our traditional dances do not die.

When we welcome international celebrities and music icons, traditional dancers are used to show our hospitality.

We should also cherish these dancers as professionals, who have families to look after, and ensure that we love and appreciate what they do.

Traditional dancers should be embraced and honoured all the time.

Dances such as Mbakumba, Mhande, Jerusarema, Chihodha, Gule/Nyau and Amabhiza define us.

As we celebrate the winners for the 60th Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival, we also pray that they use their prize money wisely.

It’s money, which should change their lives and help them start new projects.

The victorious dancers should have something which they will show for their talent and achievements.