adminProblem Masau Arts Correspondent
THE annual Murehwa Uzumba Cultural Festival (Mucuf) has rebranded to become Mashonaland East Cultural Festival, a move organisers said will cement the festival’s status as the shining beacon of Mashonaland East. Previously the festival focused on Murehwa and Uzumba but now integrates cultural activities in the whole of Mashonaland East province.
Speaking at the pre-launch dinner held at Chibhanguza Hotel over the weekend, Minister of State for Mashonaland East Simbaneuta Mudarikwa said the rebranding of the festival was long overdue.
“This means the festival will now cover all the districts and this was long overdue. Harare has Hifa, Bulawayo has Intwasa and Masvingo has its own Dzimbabwe, so our province was lagging behind,” he said.
Mudarikwa said the arts sector had the pontential to employ many people.
“Twenty percent revenue from tourism comes from the cultural sector and this translates to a lot of money. We do not want a situation where our youths say they are unemployed when we have a renowned dance called mbende here, it is a lucrative business.
“As long as people don’t have cultural identity, they are like garbage in a dustbin, we must preserve our culture. Culture is not associated with dirtiness or smoking mbanje like most youths do, It’s time to be proud of who we are,” he said.
This year’s edition will be running from tomorow until October 27 at Murewa Culture Centre under the theme “Celebrating our natural heritage through diverse culture”.
Festival director Cuthbert Maziwa said the developments came after public demand in Mashonaland East.
“The move came following an outcry from people in Mashonaland East who begged us to make the event a provincial thing.
“Mucuf was meant for people in Murehwa and Uzumba, but this year it will be for everyone in the province, hence we changed the name to Mecaf from Mucuf.
“Since the festival has grown bigger, preparations have already begun. We are having talks with our South African partners so that we can have performing groups from that side,” he said.
Murehwa Cultural Centre was established in 1984 in Murehwa District as a model facility for arts and culture promotion and development as well as a responsive initiative to the cultural policy of Zimbabwe.
As the name suggests, the complex is designed in a manner reflective of Zimbabwe’s culture, vis-à-vis “village architecture”.
It is the “prototype” centre for study, promotion, retention, meaningful and dynamising of the Zimbabwean culture.
The centre boasts, among many other facilities, a library, museum and an art gallery. Local attractions such as the Murehwa Caves in particular and the authentic nature of its environs in general as well as its proximity to Harare make it an ideal setting to celebrate Zimbabwean culture.
Online Reporter