Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
THIS year’s edition of the Ndau Arts Festival (NdaFA), scheduled for this Sunday and Monday, is back with a fresh and inclusive experience, and this time it will incorporate, both children and the elderly in the celebration of the arts.
For the first time, the festival will begin with a special symposium, exclusively for children.
This one-day event will be held at Chikore High School in Chipinge, while the main festival will take place at Paiyapo Arts and Culture Development Centre in Bangira Village, Chipinge.
The symposium, officially opening the festival on Sunday, is designed to explore the role of creative arts in fostering intergenerational connections and promoting mutual understanding between the elderly and young people.
NdaFA is a community-based organisation that promotes cultural development on a global scale.
The festival director, Phillip Kusasa, said he is excited about this year’s event, noting that preparations are at an advanced stage.
He highlighted that the selection of NdaFA as a recipient of the First Open Call of the Swiss Support to Arts Development in Zimbabwe (SSADZA) Fund last year, as well as his recent participation in the Artelier Young Festival Managers programme in San Sebastian, Spain, were significant milestones for the growing festival.
Traditional groups and artistes scheduled to participate at the fest are Mutendi, Dandaro Vibes, Bon Tee, Marymount Teachers’ College, Gaza Primary and Secondary schools, Chibuwe High School, Rebai Primary School, Muzite Traditional Dance Group, Sikanda, Holland, Bangira, Ndamera, Chiwaraidze, seasoned poet, Tinashe Muchuri.
A Mozambican traditional dance outfit, Mandava will also participate.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misherk Mugadza will officially open the event.
“We invite researchers, artistes, and cultural practitioners to submit abstracts that showcase innovative approaches to intergenerational collaboration, creative expression, and social inclusion.
“Our goal is to mainstream the elderly through the young in creative arts, promoting intergenerational understanding and cooperation,” he said, adding that the initiative aims to address critical challenges such as ageism, cultural disconnection, and social isolation.
The symposium aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 10 (Reduced
Inequalities).
“This event contributes to strengthening Ndau communities by fostering intergenerational solidarity and cultural continuity. The elderly are an untapped reservoir of knowledge, experience, and creativity. When effectively integrated into society, they can enrich it significantly.
“Through creative arts, the Ndau people have a unique opportunity to bridge generational divides, promote inclusivity, and celebrate their rich heritage.”
The call for papers invites submissions that explore pathways to empower the elderly while inspiring youth to embrace and carry forward their ancestral legacy, ensuring a connected and culturally vibrant future.
Sub-themes for abstract submissions focus on the intersection of intergenerational collaboration, cultural preservation, and creative expression.
“One such theme is Intergenerational Storytelling, which explores how storytelling can serve as a bridge between generations, preserving wisdom while fostering mutual understanding.
“We are also focusing on Digital Inclusion, which focuses on how technology can be leveraged to enhance intergenerational communication and creativity.
“Whether through digital storytelling, virtual exhibitions, or online workshops, the aim is to use technology as a tool for connection.
“The theme of Community Engagement centres on initiatives that use creative projects to promote social inclusion and cohesion, particularly those that bring together diverse age groups within communities to create shared experiences.
Celebrating Gerontocracy looks at empowering communities by valuing and integrating traditional wisdom, positioning the elderly as cultural anchors whose knowledge can shape future generations,” he said.
Another important theme he highlighted is Creative Co-production, encouraging collaborative artistic projects between the young and the elderly in areas such as visual arts, music, poetry, dance, and theatre.
These joint efforts not only promote artistic expression but also help build lasting relationships across age groups.
“We are celebrating the elderly. We want their experiences to influence children’s activities and shape their mindsets. The knowledge passed on through interaction with elders will guide the youth.
“The elderly will also participate through their own performances, including traditional dances.
“Preparations are well underway, and we are thrilled with the response and positive feedback from prospective participants.
“We are expecting a bigger and better event this year, and it’s encouraging to see the festival continue to grow in leaps and bounds,” he added.
