Online Reporter
Trust Khosa, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Traditional dance ensemble, Undi Gure, clinched the coveted ticket to represent the Midlands Province at the national finals of the 2025 Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival, after emerging victorious at the provincial showdown held this past Saturday, in Gweru.
Famed for their energetic and visually captivating Zambian Nyau dance routines, Undi Gure walked away with US$2 500 and a chance to compete for national honours later this year.
Second place went to Rangarai Pasichigare, whose mastery of the Mhande dance style won them US$1 500, while Tansh Edutainment, performing Mbakumba, came third and pocketed US$1 000.
Running under the vibrant theme “Ngoma Ngairire Shamwari, Tshay’isgubhu Mngane”, a clarion call for unity through dance, the 2025 edition kicked off in style, with an enthusiastic crowd in Gweru. This strong start has set the tone for a festival that promises cultural flair, stiff competition and spirited national performances.
Next up is Mutare, where the Manicaland provincial finals will take place at Muchina Muhombe Bar on May 24. Ten groups are expected to battle for supremacy and a place in the national spotlight. More competitions will be hosted in Hwange, Banket, Masvingo, Mashonaland East, Matabeleland South, Harare and Bulawayo, before wrapping up with the final preliminaries in Shamva on July 5.
As with other provinces, all participating groups will receive consolation prizes, while the top three performers will take home cash rewards.
The competition, jointly organised by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association (ZNTDA), continues to shine a spotlight on Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage. Organisers were lauded for widening the festival’s reach this year, fulfilling their promise to “leave no one behind”.
This year’s Chibuku Neshamwari Festival aligns with Culture Month celebrations, giving traditional dancers across Zimbabwe a platform to showcase their regional identities through rhythm and movement.
Interested groups are encouraged to register with NACZ and ZNTDA. At the national finals, the stakes are even higher, with the ultimate champions set to receive US$15 000, second place US$10 000 and third place, US$7 500.
