Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
ORGANISERS of the Pumula Royal Arts and Community Awards (Praca) say this year’s edition promises to be bigger, better and more glamorous than ever before.
Set for December 20 at a venue yet to be announced, the awards, in their sixth edition, aim to celebrate and honour outstanding individuals and organisations excelling in arts, culture and community service in Bulawayo.
Organisers said lessons learnt from previous editions have helped them refine and enhance every aspect of the event, from the nomination and judging processes to stage design and entertainment, ensuring a more polished and memorable experience this year.
Founder and director of the awards, Happy Mpofu, said the forthcoming awards will run under the theme, “Transforming Communities: Amplifying Youth Voices, Accelerating Change through Arts and Youth Creative Engagement.”
They will be complemented by various workshops, exhibitions and awareness programmes, which will be held over three days.
The first round of build-up events will kick off on December 18, featuring a Youth in Arts and Business Indaba, the Zimbabwe Key to the City Festival and a solidarity march that will take place at strategic points across Pumula suburb.
“These programmes are designed to promote mental health and emotional well-being within the community, while also encouraging youth entrepreneurship, raising awareness on climate change and strengthening the fight against drug and substance abuse,” said Mpofu.
The second day of the activities will feature a Nominees, Stakeholders and Partners Dinner, to be held at an exclusive venue that will be disclosed to invited guests.
The event will be a strictly formal, dress-up and red-carpet affair, with the night’s highlights including the certification of nominees, live performances, networking and partnership-building opportunities, as well as fine dining.
The celebrations will culminate on December 20 with the grand awards ceremony, marking the final day of the Pracas.
Mpofu said this year’s edition of the Pracas has attracted strong partnerships, including a collaboration with Home of Arts Entertainment, among other stakeholders.
“This year’s edition of the Pracas is expected to be highly impactful as we aim to reach a wider audience through the various programmes designed as part of the awards. We’re working closely with Home of Arts Entertainment, a creative and community-driven organisation that empowers young people through arts, media and cultural initiatives. The organisation plays a key role in promoting social change through creative engagement, which is why we chose to collaborate with them,” said Mpofu.
