admin
The festival, characterised by beauty contests in the 1980s, had lost its flair due to lack of funding but has been given a new lease of life.
Addressing journalists at the launch of the festival yesterday, council spokesperson Mr Leslie Gwindi said the event is a celebration of the full bloom of the jacaranda trees and their beauty.
He said the festival would reflect of the passion that characterises Harare and its citizens.
The trees, which have magnificent purple flowers, are a major feature in the city and give it a rare form of beauty that is celebrated throughout the world.
Mr Gwindi said the event would be a permanent feature starting this year.
“We have not had it in the last couple of years, so we felt we need to take it to another level. It is one of the critical projects in the rebranding of the City of Harare,” he said.
The event will be held behind Parirenyatwa Hospital where there is arguably the highest density of jacaranda trees in the city.
It will consist of a full complement of children’s activities and displays by different artistes.
“Now that we have dealt with some of the city’s priorities, we have decided to come back with the festival. We are appealing to the corporate world to partner with us in making this event a success.
“The event is open for and to all members of the private sector in Harare and Zimbabwe at large,” he said.
Chairman of the committee that has been set for the event Mr Mordecai Karira said their endeavour was to assist people recognise and appreciate the centre of beauty which is Harare.
The committee consists of members from the hospitality industry, marketers, council officials and representatives of charity organisations.
“The carnival is of serious historical significance and deserves to be approached as such,” he said.
The city together with the Yellow Pages is in the midst of sourcing for funding.
Mr Gwindi said their objective is to have a win-win situation where both the city and participating organisations get favourable rewards from the event.
He said proceeds of the carnival will go to charity organisations and some of the City’s “declared projects” in conformation with the theme, “A Celebration of Diversity in the Community”.
The Jacaranda Festival was born in 1973 in the then Salisbury and was well acclaimed by the beauty contest that would see a Jacaranda Queen crow-ned.
Online Reporter