tawandamusarurwa
Society Reporter
THE celebrated Vic Falls Carnival comes to life on Friday.
Thousands of people from around the globe are expected to attend the three-day event, which resumed last year, after being shelved for two years from 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) head of corporate affairs Godfrey “Chief” Koti said the festival is crucial in marketing the destination.
“We are expecting rooms to be booked to capacity, which is good for the hospitality sector and downstream service providers. During this time, Victoria Falls tends to gain a lot and, overall, the event promotes both domestic and international tourism, which contributes to meaningful growth of the sector,” reckons Koti.
“We use the carnival to raise awareness of destination Zimbabwe in its totality and the conservation activities that are being done around the country.”
The music festival, he added, is a unique event that brings commercial value through entertainment.
“It is our wish to periodically host such events throughout the year and in different parts of the country. With regards to the line-up of performers, I think it is very elaborate and merrymakers are going to be entertained.
“As the ZTA, we support all initiatives that positively market the destination, including the Vic Falls Carnival. The festival is big by any measure and attracts huge numbers that are around 4 000 and 5 000, coming from across the globe,” said Koti.
This year’s event is a bit different from the previous editions.
Traditionally, the carnival is held on the Zimbabwean side, with the previous edition’s major events taking place at Elephant Hills Resort.
However, the festival will this year be spreading to the neighbouring Livingstone, Zambia, though it will remain rooted in Victoria Falls.
The carnival will be running from April 28 to 30, with organisers expected to host some of the activities at the Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya in Livingstone and others at the Elephant Hills Hotel.
“While our carnival is expanding to include events in Zambia, Livingstone, this year, we remain firmly rooted in Victoria Falls, the home and heart of our carnival,” said the Vic Falls Carnival organisers.
“Tickets to these events need to be purchased separately, but the same artistes will perform in both line-ups. Jah Prayzah will be among the crème de la crème at the three-day festival now in its 11th edition.”
Jah Prayzah is expected to sample tracks from his forthcoming album that is scheduled for release next month.
Other artistes who will headline the fiesta include Black Motion, Sol, Anita Jaxson, Black Motion, LKG, Mafikizolo, Top Cheri, DJ Rimo, Oskido, Musa Keys, Enzo Ishall, Khoisan, 9umba, Toss, Mdoovar, Mi Casa and Andrea the Vocalist.
Organisers of the carnival said they are satisfied with the preparations and have pulled out all the stops to guarantee a near-flawless event.
The carnival’s general access one-day pass is pegged at US$50, the two-day pass is going for US$65 and the three-day pass costs US$90.
For the VIP ticket, a three-day pass is selling at US$295.
It includes access to a VIP viewing deck with a private VIP bar and toilet facilities, private pool party (April 29), and a sunset cruise that will include drinks and snacks.
The pass also allows the holder to attend live performances at Pure Africa on April 28 and April 29.
It also includes a private VIP party with headline acts on April 30.
On the whole, the Vic Falls Carnival offers festival goers a memorable experience through a fun-filled programme.
Online Reporter