adminThe traditional group, which operates under the auspices of the Nyamafungu Dance Association, mesmerised both the crowd and the judges with their mbakumba dances, wresting the crown from second placed Fix Changoma, while prison inmates Whawha came third.
The event was held at Mutapa Hall in Gweru on Saturday.
For winning the competition, the group won the sole ticket to represent the province at the national finals to be held in Harare on 8 September and $500 prize money.
Fix Changoma walked away $350 richer for coming second, while Whawha pocketed $250 and there were varying consolation prizes for the other groups who participated at this year’s provincial finals.
Grace Tota, the culture designer for Nyamafungu Dance Association, said winning the competition came as a surprise as their mission was to test the waters before they could challenge for honours next year but promised to raise the provincial flag high at the national finals.
“We were not expecting to achieve such a feat since this is our first competitive event in the industry. Our aim was to gauge ourselves with the established groups and then fight for top spot next year, but we have surprised even ourselves and I am hopeful we are going to give a good account when we represent the province in Harare,” Tota said.
Delta Beverages’ regional director, a Mr Mutanga, hailed the level of competition this year and said it was his company’s desire to preserve culture through music and dance.
The well-organised event was, however, marred by National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) provincial manager, Abigail Sibanda, who unleashed police details on journalists who could not find seats in the VIP arena.
Instead of finding alternative spaces for the scribes, she had them ejected.
Online Reporter