adminTafadzwa Zimoyo Arts Reporter
The Zimbabwean team at the just-ended World Championships of Performance Arts held at Long Beach performance arts centre, Hollywood, US scooped 15 medals in the competition.
The delegation, which comprised dancer and beat-boxer Denzel “Probeats” Mashonganyika, models Timothy Hogo and Tafadzwa Guzha and instrumentalist Sylent Nqo Nhendere, is expected to jet in back home today.
The artistes were accompanied by former Star FM radio presenter Zandile Ndlovu affectionately known as Zaza.
Although Probeats did not make it to the finale, he won five gold medals for best vocal rap, vocal open, vocal with and without assistance and dance open category.
He got away with a $10 000 scholarship to the Millennium Dance Complex while Nhendere won medals for senior grand champion and a crystal trophy.
Hogo on one gold, silver and bronze in his division while Guzha was eliminated in the preliminary rounds.
The entire competition had $380 000 to be given out to selected contestants.
In an interview Probeats said he was excited about winning as this will go a long way in developing his career.
“I am overwhelmed and happy that I represented the country well. The competition was tough.
The dance is a new step for me to level up. I always wanted to be a dancer and hope the scholarship will develop my career. I am ready for it,” he said.
Guitarist Nhendere who has worked with Mookomba, Oliver Mtukudzi, Audius Mtawarira, the late Chiwoniso and shared a stage at Harare International Festival of Arts with Italian Andre Valeri said the competition has opened doors for him.
He said artistes need to be educated and empowered to understand that arts too is a business.
“It was really a great experience. I did it for my country and for the younger generation who wish to pursue arts. I encourage parents to support their children who are into arts as it is also a credible form of employment.
Artistes need to be educated and then pursue the career well as it can sustain livelihoods,” he said.
However, Nhendere is said to have been called for business later by internationally acclaimed music producer Jeff Webber who has worked with Ariana Grande
Meanwhile, there were mixed feelings over the selection of the final representatives for ZICOPA with some stating it was handled unprofessionally, especially on the modelling category.
Some top local models said they withdrew from taking part because they were expected to foot their own bills.
According to the email sent to aspiring contestants, auditions were conducted via online platforms because of deadlines with those interested footing his or her own bill amounting to$ 5 900.
This later did not go down well with some modelling houses who felt Zimbabwe could have sent better models.
“I think the issue here was about money, those who had good financial background made it. We have a lot of seasoned models.
“I am not disputing those who took part were bad and don’t blame them but encourage corporate sponsors to support fully especially the modelling fraternity.
“I am disheartened by the results of models because we just chose to work is there,” said one modelling agency representative who did not want to be identified.
Online Reporter