adminNkosilathi Sibanda Urban Beats
Beitbridge is a small town but big things are happening there. We are driving to the border town not to cross the Limpopo or view the famous bridge. This summer the town is calling on all music lovers to enjoy a festival of sorts.
Art practitioner Nkululeko Nkala and colleagues are telling us about the Beitbridge International Festival of the Arts (Bifa) in October. Wow! That is sweet to the ear.
It’s a surprise for many who are accustomed to city entertainment. We have been forced to accept that quality entertainment is found in the metro centres. If you still believe this it is not your fault. Musicians also have a selective approach when it comes to where they perform.
Thankfully, this October the big names in the industry will drive south to entertain and awaken Beitbridge. The big city syndrome is gone and the Beitbridge festival is testimony to this new thinking.
For me, festivals, in particular the music programmes, are an essential part of summer. I enjoy being able to unwind as I listen to some good music. I would always recommend researching festivals before attending and that is what we will do with Bifa.
Will there be celebrity artistes, international stars and a big stage?
At this stage we would not want to give the festival good public relations spin but acknowledge that it’s a noble idea.
Music festivals occur all over. Whatever your taste in music is, you can always find a festival of your choice in Zimbabwe except for the southern part. I cannot name an artiste who comes from Beitbridge and does their music there.
The last time music lovers from Beitbridge enjoyed a live performance was during the music galas some years back.
The entertainment-starved town was alive when the ninja president aka Winky D and Jah Prayzah performed at Dulibadzimu Stadium. It was the first time that Winky D performed in the town with a live band.
So will there be such names that are still the talk of town?
With the benefits that come with festivals, Beitbridge will headline this summer entertainment programme. Opinions of festivals vary but mine are nearly almost positive.
Whether I agree or not I always find it interesting to hear someone else’s perspective on the type and quality of music.
It is the experience of listening to the bass guitar in open air that makes festivals stand out. Such events always provide the ability to claim your own space and appreciate artistic talent.
Nkala and friends must give us that taste at Beitbridge. We have to tell them our concerns now before they finalise their preparations.
We want that moment of listening to Victor Kunonga or Dudu Manhenga where we can sit and nod our heads to some cool jazz.
Although we are not privy to names of artistes to perform at Beitbridge, we do not want to buy tickets for the same old musicians.
Organisers are in a fix. The benchmark is the Intwasa Arts Festival KoBulawayo of which the Beitbridge event must surpass.
There is no room for the silly excuse that “we are doing it for the first time”. Bring us professional musicians and get us packed in open space and we will come in numbers.
Remember all that happens in the south rocks! When we get tired of dancing, we want to retire to the corner and relax.
The tradition with festivals is that they tend to provide community spirit and musicians will add to that.
I have met some amazing people at Intwasa Arts Festival that I may never have encountered otherwise. By year end a shrewd musician will have more useful contacts from the Beitbridge International Festival of the Arts.
I enjoy the bustle and thrill that comes with music festivals. My call will be for Bifa to have plenty of both. I have never been to a festival where there isn’t room to dance so give us the space.
Festivals can last for an entire day or an entire week. Even if you don’t like one band, you can go see another. After all, the ambitious organisers of the Beitbridge event say it will have an “international” feel.
Small towns have an advantage of being tranquil and family friendly. That will be the trump card for Bifa.
The small town offers a community spirit and if you are from the area you are likely to see people you know. If you are not from the area, you will gain some friends.
Do not forget that it will be a time to sample Beitbridge culture, its food and hospitality, all in the name of an entertainment festival.
At least Nkala assures us of more than just arts and music.
“We are going to host a mini trade fair to run concurrently with the festival. This is meant to enable local companies to market their products,” he said.
It would seem the international brand does not matter for this year as the organisers promise a dose of more musicians from Beitbridge. The truth is we do not know many of the artistes from that part of the country.
The idea of finding a new music idol from Mat South sounds interesting though. One of my favourite things about music festivals is discovering new talent. Local bands or lesser known performers will play to try to gain publicity.
As a music lover I would be happy and thrilled if I could spend my time at Bifa enjoying music. But my fear is that it will be too short. I know performers have their limits and can’t play all night. Still, the excitement and energy of a concert is exhilarating and I’m always left wanting more.
In October we will brave the hot weather to listen to music from Mat South. We will however not allow the weather to spoil the fun.
Online Reporter