adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
DINGUMUZI Primary from Mangwe District and Umzingwane’s Sihlengeni Primary will represent Matabeleland South Province in the Choral and Jikinya Dance Festival finals being held in Harare on November 28.The provincial competitions which were held on Friday at Plumtree High School saw schools from Umzingwane and Mangwe Districts dominate positions one and two under the Choral and Jikinya Dance categories.
Dingumuzi Primary School displayed a spectacular performance of the popular Hosana and the Jerusarema Mbende Dance to clinch first place at the Jikinya traditional dance competition. In second place was Sihlengeni Primary School and Gwanda North’s Sabiwa Primary came third.
Jikinya festival best boy dancer, best drummer, best coach and best support costume awards were won by Dingumuzi Primary School while Sihlengeni Primary School received awards for best girl dancer, best costume and most harmonious group.
Sihlengeni Primary who also came out tops at the choral music competitions, were a force to reckon with followed by Mangwe District’s Marula Primary who settled for second position. The host district for this year’s provincial competitions, Bulilima District, represented by Ntunungwe Primary gave their very best but came third. Sitting on position four was Mpalawani Primary from Insiza.
Guest of honour at the competitions, Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director, Tumisang Thabela applauded schools for participating in theatre and arts activities.
She said the Jikinya Dance Festival was an opportunity for children to learn the nation’s various cultures.
“For the past two years, schools have been performing the Jerusarema Mbende Dance which is foreign in Matabeleland. However, children have managed to grasp this dance as evidenced by the performance we have witnessed here.
“This means children are starting to appreciate the country’s various cultures that come in the form of dance. This also helps to preserve our culture and keep the children abreast with our cultural ways of living,” said Thabela.
She also urged schools to introduce music and drama as subjects in their schools so that those who might not be good academically can pursue music or theatre as careers.
Online Reporter