Langa says hats off to Byo artistes

Lungelo Ndhlovu Showbiz Reporter
SPORTS, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa yesterday applauded artistes from Bulawayo for their performances at the opening and closing ceremonies of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games at Barbourfields Stadium.

Addressing the artistes that took part at the opening and closing ceremonies, Minister Langa said the performance by the Zimbabwean artistes was unique and original.

“His Excellency, President Mugabe was so impressed by your performance. You exceeded any other official opening ceremony in Africa. It’s very pleasing to note that there’s huge talent in this country. You portrayed our richness of cultural backgrounds and many people learnt something from these games,” he said.

The theme song of the games was composed and performed by Jeys Marabini, Sandra Ndebele and POZee with the help of producer Simba Jena in beat-making.

Capturing a youthful sound and chant-like tang, the song was enjoyed by both the youth (the owners of the competitions) and the adult patrons who flooded the games venues for a slice of the action.

The music, dance choreography, poetry and co-ordination of the entertainment programme after the official details of the grandiose event were simply splendid.

They did manage to boldly proclaim Bulawayo as the hub from where the country’s cultural and artistic disciplines revolve.

Over 50 groups of local artistes performed at the event and they did not disappoint. Coupled with that was a prolific display of wushu by Godlwayo Wushu Club boys who displayed their martial arts skills to the roaring of the thousands that graced the occasion on the official opening of the games.

The Principal Director in the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture, Reverend Paul Damasane said the selection of the artists was fair and objective as it included the pregnant mothers and the disabled.

“The selection of artistes who performed on these games was very inclusive of everyone. We roped in two pregnant artistes and they performed very well and we even had the disabled singing, so it was fair to everyone,” said Damasane.