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Problem Masau Arts Correspondent
LOW attendance took the gloss out of last week’s Mashonaland East Cultural Festival after fans failed to pay the entrance fee for Saturday’s show which they said was too high.In previous editions, entry to the six-day festival held at Murehwa Culture Centre was free of charge, but this year the organisers decided to charge US$3 to watch Mathias Mhere and Nicholas Zakaria, who performed on Saturday, the penultimate day of the festival.
“Recently, fans paid as much as US$5 to attend Alick Macheso’s show. Now, we are asking for just US$3 and even if 50 people pay for their entry, I don’t mind,” festival director Cuthbert Maziwa said.
However, fans who spoke to The Herald Entertainment expressed disappointment over the organisers’ decision.
“We thought this was a community thing but now they want to make money out of us. We are in the rural areas, honestly where can I get US$3 for a show while I am struggling to put food on the table?” said Ambuya Kagunya.
Away from the gate controversy, Mhere serenaded the few fans with his sing-along numbers, starting with “Areka” before getting into high-tempo songs such as “Vimba NaJehovah” and “Chipostora”. He signed off with crowd favourite “Favour”.
Zakaria also gave a spirited performance featuring his yesteryear hits such as “Mabvi Nemagokora” and “Mabasa” among others.
The Mashonaland East Cultural Festival, which was rebranded from Murehwa Uzumba Cultural Festival, is held annually at Murehwa Culture Centre.
This year’s theme was “Celebrating our natural heritage through diverse culture”. Murehwa Culture Centre was established in 1984 in Murehwa District as a model facility for arts and culture promotion and development as well as a responsive initiative to the cultural policy of Zimbabwe.
As the name suggests, the complex is designed in a manner reflective of Zimbabwe’s culture, vis-à-vis “village architecture”.
It is the “prototype” centre for study, promotion, retention, meaningful and dynamising of the Zimbabwean culture.
The centre boasts, among many other facilities, a library, museum and an art gallery. Local attractions such as the Murehwa Caves in particular and the authentic nature of its environs in general as well as its proximity to Harare make it an ideal setting to celebrate Zimbabwean culture.
Online Reporter