adminSimbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
TWO months ago, Umzansi dancers — Sekunjalo MaAfrika managed to clinch an opportunity to represent Bulawayo Metropolitan province at the Chibuku Neshamwari Dance Festival national finals being held at Harare Gardens today.
Since then, the group has been preparing for the traditional dance festival and is now geared to battle for the top prize.
The ensemble will compete against nine other provincial victors from across the country and they will have to prove why they were capped provincial champions in June when they shrugged off stiff competition from nine others.
Sekunjalo MaAfrika’s director Arnold Ndebele said a team of 12 talented performers was already in the capital ready to to get the title, won by fellow Bulawayo group – Umkhathi Theatre Works Arts last year.
“We are ready for the Chibuku Neshamwari Dance Festival. The morale within the team is high as we have been practising for this competition since June.
“We have a talented line up of performers, the same cast who won the provincial competition. Our dances are going to be first class performances, ones that you have not seen before,” said Ndebele.
Ndebele said Sekunjalo MaAfrika had been receiving mentorship and advice for the talent search from last years’ winners and other seasoned artistes in the industry.
“I believe we received all the help we could to bring the trophy home. Umkhathi Arts and Kwabatsha Arts among others have been really useful to us throughout our preparations.
“We are praying that we represent Bulawayo to the fullest as the task lies with us to make the City of Kings and Queens proud,” he said.
The Bulawayo group will compete with Mashonaland West’s Nengoma Cultural Arts group, Mashonaland Central’s Swerengoma,
Mashonaland East’s Nyamadzepasi, Harare’s Chifukuto, Midlands’s Zikuvave, Masvingo’s MUSSA and Manicaland’s Red Wing.
The winning group will walk away with $4,000, while the first and second runners up will be awarded $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.
Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers’ Association president Kennedy Kachuruka said all was in place for the festival.
“We have three adjudicators who have been thoroughly selected by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, with extensive knowledge and appreciation of the arts and culture of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Kachuruka said the competition which coincides with Chibuku’s 52nd anniversary celebrations had for the past years been dominated by male dancers which is a cause for concern in the arts industry.
“The participation of female dancers in the competition is very low. Women are not consistent, they are here once and the next thing you do not see them again,” he said.
Online Reporter