Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter
Batsiranai traditional dance group, an ensemble made up of former drug addicts, will on October 15 represent Zimbabwe at a music festival in Maputo, Mozambique.
The group, which is based in Mufakose, is made up of 20 members aged between 16 and 31.
Nyasha Gonzo, the group’s chairperson, said they are excited about the tour.
“First and foremost, I would want to thank the Mufakose Community Gym for helping us beat drug and substance addiction. We are excited and anxiously await this tour,” Gonzo said.
Tongai Nheta, the patron of the Mufakose Community Gym, chronicled how the group ended up being invited to the Mozambique festival.
“We were conducting a drug and substance awareness programme when 20 youths who were struggling with substance and drug abuse approached us. After counselling them, we asked them what they wanted to pursue and they decided to start a traditional dance group,” Nheta said.
Batsiranai was then linked to a Mozambican dance group, Mafuwe, which subsequently invited the youthful outfit to the October festival.
Gonzo said the forthcoming tour means a lot to the group.
“This show gives us a platform to showcase our talent and to network. Some of our members are still struggling to come clean and we are using preparations for this tour as part of the rehabilitation process,” he said.
The group leaves Harare for Maputo on September 29.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter