adminAdelaide Moyo Chronicle Reporter
PREPARATIONS are underway for the Shangano Arts Festival taking place at Ntabazinduna Hall in Umguza District next month. Now in its ninth edition, the festival, which celebrates cultural diversity in Matabeleland North, identifying and nurturing rural talent, will run from October 22 to 24.
Victoria Falls group – Afro Bongo, Chibuku Road to Fame Matabeleland North winners – Walk of Life, Koseka, Ndizvo Zvinhu Zvacho Express, Singoma Butibe (Binga) and Banyayi (Lukhosi) are expected to perform.
Festival director Petros Ndlovu said the three-day festival seeks to develop talent in the rural areas as they believe it is usually overlooked compared to that in big cities. “We want to identify young rural talent and work on nurturing it. We feel that if the young ones are correctly nurtured, they can grow to perform with popular groups like Iyasa,” Ndlovu said.
“The festival is also a platform for up-and-coming rural artists to polish their acts and stand a chance of performing at bigger national events such as the Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo.”
Hwange Urban Arts Association chairperson Malvin Daka said: “This is a very important arts event in the province as we’ll be celebrating our cultural diversity and heritage.”
derick.khumalo