adminNyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
THE Manicaland Agricultural Show Society is planning to make its week-long exhibition a benchmark of global standards capable of also attracting international exhibitors.
Administrator of the society Mrs Pedzisayi Rusero told The Herald that they had witnessed an increased number of exhibitors and showgoers this year.
This year’s edition stands as a benchmark upon which the organisers of the exhibition will work towards achieving their plans.
Mrs Rusero said they received about 11 559 people this year compared to about 8 000 that visited the exhibition park last year.
The show got off to a slow start, but the figures started rising as the event progressed, said Mrs Rusero. Saturday had the biggest attendance with 9 249 passing through the gates, which was way better than the figures recorded on the same day last year.
Mrs Rusero said it was interesting to note that there was an increase in the number of visitors despite entry charges being higher than those of the previous exhibition.
“Our plans are to make the event even bigger and of world class status. We would like the event to attract international exhibitors,” she said.
Mrs Rusero said they had also witnessed an increase in the number of commercial and small-scale exhibitors compared to last year.
She bemoaned the change of dates from the traditional September saying it could have also contributed to the low attendance and lower than expeced uptake of exhibition space.
“I think the change of dates could have also contributed to the number of visitors we received this year,” said Mrs Rusero. “We used to have schoolchildren from schools around the province. The schools were closed, so we did not have the students.”
Speaking during the official opening of this year’s edition, president of Manicaland Agricultural Show Society Mr Patient Mbarara said they recorded decreased livestock numbers as a result of foot and mouth outbreaks recorded in some areas of the province.
“Regrettably, we have recorded a decrease in the number of exhibitors in the livestock section due to foot and mouth outbreak in some parts of our traditional catchment areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, the sixth edition of the Ndau Festival of Arts (NDAFA) roars into life on September 22 at its traditional venue, Paiyepo Arts Development and Heritage Centre in Bangira Village in Chipinge, writes our Chipinge correspondent Luthando Mapepa.
This year’s edition will be running under the theme: “Ndau culture: Enhancing the conservation of the environment and natural resources for food security”.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) director Mr Nicholas Moyo will be the guest of honour.
NDAFA founder Mr Philip Kusasa said the festival was growing with each passing year, adding that this year’s edition comes at a time when some of the NDAFA exhibitors had just participated in the Ndau TV documentary, “Inside Ndau Culture”.
“NDAFA is moving smoothly with its preparations for the sixth edition of the festival with over 5 000 people from all corners of the country expected to showcase their cultures in Chipinge,” he said.
Reputed Ndau writer Ishmael Penyai is expected to grace the exhibition.
Online Reporter