Online Reporter
Melissa Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
HWANGE Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) is set to close the year by celebrating and uplifting local talent through the inaugural Zim Rhumba Dance Fiesta, scheduled for Saturday at Mavela Secondary School in Tsholotsho.
The event, designed to identify and nurture emerging talent in the rhumba genre, will give up-and-coming artistes an opportunity to perform before some of the region’s finest acts, including Mxolisi Mr Bones, Godolude & the Friendly Brothers, Dupute Warriors, Clement Magwaza, Insimbi ZeZhwane, Amathong’Amahle, Zinjaziyamluma, Mdawini & Izingonyama and Sizwa & Kwejani Band.
HCCL is hosting the festival under its Entertainment Revival Strategy, a programme aimed at strengthening arts, culture and community engagement in Matabeleland North, where the mine operates.
Speaking ahead of the event, Deliverance Nyoni, HCCL chairperson for entertainment under the Entertainment Revival Strategy, said preparations were progressing smoothly.
“So far, everything is moving according to plan. The HCCL Entertainment Revival Strategy team is actually on the ground in Tsholotsho now. All the artistes who are performing at the rhumba festival are also in transit as most of them are based in South Africa,” Nyoni said.
He said the fiesta aligns with the company’s ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) approach, which compels HCCL to invest back into communities from which it operates.
“As HCCL, we follow what is called the ESG strategy. It really speaks about the company being responsible with social issues in the area it gets its business from. Since our mine is based in Matabeleland North, we found it a good thing to come up with community initiatives, which promote either artistes, students or just the community at large.
So, the company, among other projects, has been drilling boreholes, and it recently donated mobile labs to secondary schools in Matabeleland North.”
He added that Tsholotsho was chosen because it, alongside Plumtree, is the recognised hub for Zim Rhumba.
“The main theme is a dancing competition where we want young up-and-coming rhumba artistes to come and showcase their talent in front of these big acts so they can be seen and consider a career in music. It’s also a way of promoting the genre. Most of the artistes are based in SA, basically because they haven’t received much support locally, so as the entertainment side of the company, we decided to expose this talent, which is here in Matabeleland North.
“We grouped together the best artistes in the genre who were available, to make sure we give the Tsholotsho community and surrounding areas a show to remember. The whole idea is about talent identification and promoting the local community through business opportunities when we do these events. The idea is to rotate the event and maybe take it to Nkayi next year.”
In addition to entertainment, the fiesta will also address drug and substance abuse, a growing concern among young people.
“We’ve partnered with the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture for the event, under the theme: ‘Healthy mind, healthy lives. Say no to drug and substance abuse!!’ as we, as a company, also have a zero tolerance to drug and alcohol abuse. This has been the theme in Hwange throughout 2025 where even at the workplace, we’ve actually introduced breathalysers, that’s how strict the company is. We also run awareness programmes, so through the ministry, we’re amplifying this message.”
The event is set to start at 10am, with the main attraction — the dancing competition — scheduled between 4pm and 6pm. After that, children will be ushered out to pave the way for the after-party.
“Let’s keep children away from drugs by keeping them engaged in arts and sports. We can’t just say no to drugs without giving a solution. Let the youth know that this can be a career path.”
Explaining the Entertainment Revival programme, Nyoni said their focus extends far beyond music.
“Hwange Colliery Company has been sponsoring several sporting activities, from athletics, and recently, a schools’ soccer tournament — the Chipangano Challenge Trophy — for Matabeleland North schools. We’ve also supported cycling and, just last week, hosted the Kamandama Memorial Marathon.
“Since we also work closely with the Ministry of Sport and Culture and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, we recently hosted a traditional dance competition, Kuzana, to ensure our cultural heritage is preserved. We’re working on visual arts as well. So, it’s a comprehensive strategy to ensure that the arts sector becomes a viable career path.
We recognise that Matabeleland North has abundant talent and this is why we decided to take the Rhumba dance fiesta far beyond Hwange.”
Nyoni also revealed that on December 18, HCCL — fresh from hosting South Africa’s Nkosazana Daughter, who thrilled thousands during the Kamandama Marathon after-party — will host a gospel music competition in Hwange, open to all in the province. This will be followed by a thanksgiving ceremony the next day, featuring top gospel artistes.
“On the 18th and 19th of December, we have our final event of the year. The gospel music competition is open to artistes, all denominations and everyone in Matabeleland North. On the 19th, we’ll host the thanksgiving ceremony, which will be graced by prominent musicians. The idea is to thank God for the fortunes He has given Hwange Colliery Company this year, as we’ve had a good year,” Nyoni said.
