Garahwa Primary make it 3 in a row

Brenda Phiri Cool Lifestyle Writer
Garahwa Primary School are this year’s winners of the Muchongoyo Traditional Dance Competition after they beat eight other schools in Chipinge South last Saturday.The school retained its title for the third consecutive time since winning it in 2010 when the gala was initiated by Marcia Moyana.
They beat eight other schools in the district who took turns to exhibit the rich Ndau dance.

Garahwa Secondary School was number two while Makoho Primary School were in third place in the competition dubbed “Mtetwa Wamuka Cultural Symposium”.

This was in memory of Moyana’s late parents Stephen Joe and Mary Lisa Moreka Mtetwa.
“My parents were instrumental in the development of the people in our rural home in Chipinge.

“He helped to build roads that lead to some of the schools in the area. As their offspring, I felt it was my duty to go back there and help my people in my own way, hence the Muchongoyo annual competition,” she said.

Moyana added that Chipinge was renowned for its rich cultural heritage and she was hoping to create employment for different communities through Muchongoyo.

She, however, called on other players in the corporate world to give back to the communities they grew up in.
“A lot of talent is dying a natural death in these children because they are not getting recognition. I am pleading with people to come forward and help either in cash or kind as this not only helps to discipline children but to preserve our culture,” she said.

Also in attendance at the competition was Chief Garahwa, Chipinge district education inspectors, Trust Jaibhes and Leonard Makwambeni, Uthando Theatre Production founder from the United States of America, Tsitsi Madzongwe and Leticia Morta of Green Fuels.

They all complimented efforts to promote local culture.
“Our Ministry of Education emphasises on teaching sports, arts and cultural in the curriculum. Mtetwa Wamuka is complementing Government efforts and should therefore be applauded,” said Charles Muhlahlayazi, the co-ordinator of the symposium.

In May this year, Garahwa Muchongoyo scored a first when it held three performances in Harare; two at the Harare International Festival of Arts and one at Sam Levy’s Village in Borrowdale. This was part of the package that came with winning the competition last year.