adminshould always be identified with Bulawayo, it is important to note that this arts event it not just about Bulawayo.
“The festival is bigger than that, it should be viewed first as a national event and secondly as an international event hosted by the City of Bulawayo,” he said.
The director said the way the festival is organised, funded and supported must be in tandem with the festival’s status.
The event was held at the Chibuku Stage, housed at the City Hall car park.
He added: “The festival needs support from local business people, as well as national corporates.
“It needs support from the city fathers and from Government.
“It needs support from the international community of donors and cultural tourists.”
He said Intwasa also needed the support of Bulawayo residents, especially through patronage.
“Without local audiences, festivals die.
“It is only when everyone plays their part that the festival can reach its full potential,” he said.
He also acknowledged the support that the City of Bulawayo is giving to Intwasa and said NACZ has also committed itself to supporting programmes and efforts by
artistes and organisations from Zimbabwe’s second largest city.
Mari said they have done this through channelling programmes and activities to festivals like Intwasa.
He said as part of its efforts to increase national participation by Zimbabweans, NACZ continued to explore national programmes that can be hosted by the City of Bulawayo.
“As NACZ we would like to take this opportunity to thank the city and its residents for supporting us when we brought Jikinya Dance Festival to Bulawayo,” he said.
Jikinya Dance Festival was held last year and it was the first time for the event to be held outside Harare.
Mari said it was this kind of support that led the NACZ board give the City of Bulawayo the right to host the National Merit Awards on February 16 next year.
The five-day festival, which ran until Saturday, is being held under the theme “Blooming”, which Mari said denotes a positive attitude towards life, an attitude that has been adopted by the organisers of the festival.
“Blooming exudes a lot of energy. It radiates energy. Blooming denotes happiness, youthful vigour, positivity and growth.
“Let us allow Intwasa 2012 to exude blooming in all respect,” he said.
Online Reporter