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Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
THEY had to wait patiently for 20 years to be crowned champions.
The story of this year’s Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance national winners, Dapurahunanzva, is a fairytale.
Many will remember the now defunct English rock band, The Police, which was formed in London in 1977.
The group became popular worldwide in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
They made several hits, with their 1983 album, Synchronicity, selling over eight million copies. They, however, had to wait until 2008 to become the world’s highest earning musicians, thanks to their reunion tour.
The story is synonymous with Dapurahunanzva Dance Group that had to wait for two decades to shine.
After being formed in 1998, the traditional dance ensemble is basking in the glory of history making after they out-danced nine other provincial finalists to be crowned winners at the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival finals held in Harare last week on Saturday.
They danced to a cool US$15 000, while second and third placed Marimba Arts and Dedza Chitandizo received US$10 000 and US$7 000 respectively.
The group, which comprises 15 members, was formed in Dangamvura with 10 people.
It now boasts of juniors who will soon be recruited into the main group. Dapurahunanzva leader, Keaven Simomondo said they had to change their final formations to suit the event.
He said a combination of hard work and expertise saw them emerging victorious.
“It wasn’t easy. It was a tough contest. I know of four groups that really gave us a good run of our money.
They performed so well, but we managed to display unique choreography. We also had to change our formations due to the stage which was higher. I am happy that our expertise blended well. Our group is extremely grateful,” he said.
Traditional dance guru and one of the choreographers who was hired to perfect the winners’ dance compositions, Taurai Moyo, said they rehearsed vigorously.
“Dedication, choreography, formations, originality of the dance and above all vigorous rehearsals saw us being crowned the champions. I started working with the team after winning the provincial title and we rehearsed everyday till the day of the competition.
“I hope this win will inspire other groups to consider hiring choreographers and production managers. Dancers need to take the arts as a business and invest in rehearsals and research.
“Artistes must attend capacity building trainings so that they learn pertinent issues affecting the creative industry and these competitions,” he said.
The Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival is a long-running empowerment programme sponsored by Delta Beverages through the Chibuku brand.
lt is co-ordinated by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe in partnership with the Zimbabwe Traditional Dance Association
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