Rainbow Arts Festival brings Gwanda to life

The carnival, which was officially opened by Matabeleland South Governor and Resident Minister Angeline Masuku, kicked off with a procession from Phakama Business Centre to Gwanda District club.
All male outfit, Bolamba Traditional Dance Gwanda, got the ball rolling as they thrilled scores of fans that came out for the province’s biggest annual fete with their Setswana dances.
The youthful Ghetto Smurfs, traditional dance ensemble Inqama Yophondo, Ebony, Matrix, and Jahunda Community Arts were among the opening acts that entertained the crowds before the Governor officially opened the festival.
Governor Masuku said her province was unique as it comprised of the largest sub-cultural groupings in the country.
“Matabeleland South is a very unique province in our country where you find the Sotho, Venda, Balemba, Kalanga, Shangani, Ndebele, Xhosa and San,” Governor Masuku said.
She said it was the combination of these cultural groups that had earned the province the name Rainbow Province.
“Like the colours of a rainbow that blend into one beautiful unit, this province is now popularly referred to as the Rainbow Province. We would therefore not have given this premier arts festival a better name other than being referred to as the Rainbow Province Arts Festival,” said Governor Masuku.
She called on local authorities to build more recreational facilities to support the arts industry.
“We realise that the talent in this province has grown tremendously but the infrastructure to showcase it is not up to standard.
“Local authorities are therefore requested to consider constructing performance halls and state of the art amphitheatres especially in our provincial capital, Gwanda,” said Governor Masuku.
The event was attended by several officials from various government departments as well as the Culture Fund and National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
On its last day the fete began with a procession from Phakama Business Centre to St Christophers Primary School. The colourful procession was led by the drum majorettes , artistes and musical groups. Artistes took turns to perform along the way to St Christophers.
Among the performers was Gwanda’s prolific wordsmith Ngqindi Ndlovu, who charmed audiences with his traditional chants.
The lively event took centre stage at a school where various schools shared the stage as they celebrated the best Matabeland South has to offer in terms of art and entertainment.
First was Sabiwa Primary School, which showcased their Jikinya dance before handing over to Ghetto Smurfs, a Gwanda-based dance outfit which thrilled fans with their rendition of Tshabalala Rhythm’s Umaqondana.
The elderly Inqama Yophondo proved that age is nothing but a number and Matjinge Primary School from Plumtree — who are this year’s winners of the Jikinya Dance competition— showing why they deserved to be crowned champions.
The show was closed by Ghetto Smurfs who left the audience in stitches as they played Matavire’s track Honour ladies.
The director of the festival, Nokuthula Moyo said “The aim of this event is to identify talent and help to develop, promote and market it. We are happy and would love to thank all our sponsors and participants who made this event a success,” said Moyo.
The Rainbow Arts Festival is an annual event that draws together budding and established artistes from the province to share their works and experiences.