Jibilika comes to Mutare

Entertainment Correspondent
THE 9th edition of the Jibilika Dance Festival slated for August next year will be held in Mutare for the first time, organisers of the festival confirmed this week.

In an interview, the festival’s projects director, Plot Mhako, said the move to the eastern border city was necessitated by the growing dance scene and overwhelming requests from dancers and enthusiasts from Manicaland.

“The province has been consistent in its participation at the festival since inception with groups such as Dapuraunanzva, Born to Dance, Unit Edge, Juveniles and Harmony having made impressive appearances over the years. Harmony Dance Crew which comprised Africa University students won the best Hip hop category in 2008.

“The organisers of the festival, Jibilika Dance Trust, are excited to bring the festival to Manicaland and are satisfied with the infrastructure available to host the two-day event which has several workshops, community events and a final national dance contest as part of the programme. The festival theme will be announced at the beginning of the year,” he said.

The festival which celebrates both urban and cultural dances and runs in competition format, will be held on August 26 and 27.

This year’s festival was held in August in Bulawayo. Bulawayo-based dance group Magesh (pictured) came out tops in the Best Dance group category.

Jibilika festival is a youth urban cultural platform which started in 2007 and seeks to herald Zimbabwe’s dance talent and use the energy to address the ill-elements bedeviling the youths. The festival promotes dance as a vehicle for youth, talent development and a platform for recreation.

This year, Manicaland was represented by two groups, Juveniles and Reflections who delivered a great show.