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Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
BUOYANT Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) outfit, Chivaraidze, is geared up to bring the crown home when they meet other provincial finalists at the Chibuku Neshamwari national finals to be held tomorrow (Saturday) in Harare.
The group which out-danced eight other groups in an intriguing provincial competition held a fortnight ago in Chipinge has, however, acknowledged that it will not be a stroll in the park.
They walked away with US$2 500, while second-placed Ben Arinoti and Charurwa received US$1 500 and US$1 000 respectively during the provincial competitions.
In the national finals scheduled for Harare Gardens, the outfit that consists of inmates and prison officers will showcase muchongoyo dances.
The national winners will pocket US$15 000, while second and third-placed groups will walk away with US$10 000 and US$7 500 respectively.
The festival is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year under the theme “BiraRemadhanzi, 60 Years SithokozisaNgezomgido!”.
ZPCS public relations officer, Liberty Mhlanga said they are ready for victory.
“We promise to bring the trophy home. We believe we have prepared well. We are bound to prove a point that being in prison does not mean that your talents are imprisoned as well.
“We want to send a strong message that people who are behind bars can do exceedingly well in various sectors, including arts. We have a beautiful team of inmates and prison officers who are hungry for success,” he said.
Chivaraidze dance group leader, Nyisa Mutambara, who is a prison officer stationed in Chipinge chipped in: “We know it will not be easy, but we promise to give it our best shot. We are confident that we will bring the crown home.”
Will history repeat itself?
Chivaraidze, popularly known as Mandikisi, hope to make Manicaland proud again, repeating a feat that their counterparts, Dapurahunanzva, made last year after the latter clinched the national finals in a fiercely-contested contest held in Harare.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe regional manager, Caroline Makoni is also confident that the provincial winners will grab the national title.
“We strongly believe that the group will repeat the same feat that Dapurahunanzva did last year. We know it will not be easy, but if they put up a similar show like they did in Chipinge, we are in for huge celebrations,” she said.
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