adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
ZIMBABWE’S top female musicians, Busi Ncube, Dudu Manhenga and Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana are the headlining acts at this year’s Victoria Falls International Festival Tourism Expo. Known as the Vic Fest, the annual festival will this year be held from August 6 to 11 with various concerts lined up. These include “Ladies of Jazz Green Concert”, “Cultural Tourism Night”, “Jazz Festival” and “Jabula Praise Gospel Concert”.
Jazz musician Victor Kunonga, whose music has matured like wine is another major highlight during the festival. The festival will also see various groups from Zimbabwe’s provinces showcasing their diverse cultures through song and dance.
Other artistes billed to perform include Thandy Dlana, Chicken Bus, Willis Wataffi, DJ Francis, Mandebvu, Tata Mojo, Men at Work, Colour Blue and Family Voices.
Vic Fest director Mish Nyakudarika said Ncube would headline the opening night with a performance alongside the old men of Jazz – the Cool Crooners, well-travelled Black Umfolosi, up-and-coming jazz artiste Thandy Dlana and kwaito artiste PoZee.
Nyakudarika said they decided to host the festival in Victoria Falls because the resort town is a world heritage site and popular tourist destination.
“We had the same festival last year during the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly, but it was on a smaller scale.
Thereafter we had consultations with various government ministries and we came up with a bigger and better festival,” said Nyakudarika.
He said the festival was more of promoting cultural tourism. A dance, music, food and fashion fair called the Zimbabwe/Zambia Culture Day has been included on the programme.
“We have invited people from Zambia to come over and spend a day with Zimbabweans as we celebrate our cultures as Africans,” said Nyakudarika.
A Dr Joshua Nkomo Heritage Day with a photo exhibition and a lecture focusing on his role as a cultural icon and Pan Africanist is part of the programme.
“Dr Nkomo was a man who cherished his culture so much and we want to hold something in his honour during the festival. This is part of efforts to keep Dr Nkomo’s legacy as a culturalist,” said Nyakudarika.
He said a festival similar to the Vic Fest would be held in neighbouring Zambia in October.
Online Reporter