adminbackground thronged the different box offices around the city.
Some of the fans who spoke to the Herald said they were looking forward to a great festival.
“This is the best festival in the region. I have come from Mozambique to attend the event,” said Alfonso Gabriela.
People could be seen milling around the famous Twalumba, the cane rhino.
The gigantic artifact was brought from Victoria Falls and is build from cane bottles.
Prince Edward Jazz band gave a splendid performance and it was refreshing to see children from orphanages and less priviledged community enjoying the show.
“Hifa is for every one and in the spirit of togetherness; we will have children from different background attending the festival through out the week.
“We will also have prisoners performing,” Tafadzwa Simba, Hifa head of communications said and as has become the norm, the security was top notch.
“The Hifa security team is working well in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the venues are secured,” he said.
This year’s opening show would be at Telecel Main stage where an array of musicians from Starbrite and the very best of Zimbabwean dancers will offer a thrilling journey through the decades, exploring some of Zimbabwe’s music.
The opening play was an adaptation of Shimmer Chinodya’s acclaimed novel, “Harvest of Thorns”, which features some of Zimbabwe’s prominent and award-winning theatre artistes — Michael Kudakwashe, Winnie Moyo, Albert Nyathi, Charles Matare, Chipo Bizure, Maylene Chenjerai, Caroline Mashingaidze, Nothando Nobengula, Bob Mutumbi and Vusa Dzimwasha.
The play is directed by the author and produced by Albert Nyathi with music composed by Hope Masike.
High-riding Jah Prayzah is scheduled to perform tonight between 9pm and 10pm.
Online Reporter