adminMercy Bofu Entertainment Reporter
The Zimbabwe College of Music in Harare on Saturday hosted the Jibilika Dance Festival attended by more than 400 youths from all provinces. Running under the theme “Last Dancer Standing”, the event saw more than 40 dancing groups battling for supremacy.
Street Madness, a dancing group from Mbare, scooped the coveted US$400 award with their scintillating performance.
The group of eight members stole the hearts of many by their educative as well as entertaining performance which featured Dennis
Chiyanga, a seven-year-old boy who left the crowd in awe with his energetic moves. Several dances were being showcased from kwaito, hip-hop, dancehall, azondo and R&B. It was a battle of the giants as all groups gave impressive performances giving judges a hard time.
Among the winners was Denzel Takudzwa Mashonganyika, who become the best beat boxer winning a microphone and Nyasha Madzingo, who was the best female solo dancer.
Tendai Chisango was the best freestyle microphone controller while Tony Mackelve was the best male solo dancer.
Jibilika Dance Trust co-ordinator Plot Mhako said he was impressed by the support shown by dancers across the country and the general public.
“Overall, the event was very successful as we did not expect such a big response and we managed to get a full house and the event was so amazing and am excited. It really shows that Zimbabwe has got talent,” said Mhako.
Asked about the future of these dancing groups, Mhako said they will continue working with them until the next programme.
“What we do is we secure contracts for them with local and international promoters. Even those groups that did not make it we continue working with them,” said Mhako
Since its inception, the festival has propelled a number of artistes and dance groups to dizzy heights with the likes of Magesh dance group who were the winners of 2007 and 2008 competitions and today it has become a renowned dance group.
Jibilika dance festival is a project launched in 2007, and is fast growing as it has become the country’s biggest dance competition.
It celebrates the richness and diversity of dance across Zimbabwe and beyond.
It is an edutainment forum for youths that was born out of the need to promote, nurture talent and create employment for youths.
Founders of the festival believe that dancing is a powerful weapon to get youths involved in social issues that affect their lives like fighting against HIV and Aids as they are more conversant with urban and popular culture.
Top local hip-hop rapper Tehn Diamond, who graced the event, testified that Zimbabwe indeed has got talent.
“Zimbabwe is really talented as shown by this great performance we can even compare ourselves with countries like South Africa,” said Diamond.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter