Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
Ten groups are set to battle it out at the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival Matabeleland South provincial finals, with five emerging ensembles adding fresh energy and heightened competition to this year’s edition.
The provincial finals are set to take place at Colleen Bawn Beer Hall on Saturday under the theme, “Siyakhal’ Is’gubhu Mngane”.
Participating groups are Bolamba Culture Birds, Blanket Mine Ben Arinot, Mgijima Dance Group, All Purpose Cultural Dance Group, Blanket Mine Chioda, Insukamini Dance Group, Iphupho Lethu Dance Group, ZPCS Beitbridge, Ufasimba Dance Group, and Siyabangena Dance Group.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) Matabeleland South provincial arts manager Percy Vela said the increase in new entrants reflects the growing competitiveness and popularity of the traditional dance competition in the province.
“Ten groups have registered for the competition this year. We’re excited to have five new groups join the Chibuku Neshamwari competition, a positive development for the province. Matobo district has contributed two groups, while Mzingwane district has brought in three groups,” said Vela.
He said the new entrants are largely drawn from rural communities and are expected to showcase authentic traditional dances unique to Matabeleland South.
“All the groups are coming from rural setups and are bringing original Matabeleland South dances from their respective communities,” he said.
Vela also revealed that Sekusile Sitshikitsha Dance Group, popularly known as How Mine, will not participate this year as the group is still mourning members who died in a road accident last year.
“This time around, the How Mine dance group will not feature in the competition as they are still mourning the loss of their members whom we lost in an accident last year. We expect them to return next year, which will further widen the competition pool,” said Vela.
The group was involved in a fatal road accident along the Gweru-Bulawayo Highway while returning from Mutare, where they had participated in the 2025 Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance national finals.
