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They put up a sterling performance in front of dignitaries from both countries at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, in Beijing.
The group performed here on Monday in a solo show which was dubbed “Gala by Zimbabwe College of Music.”
The event was attended by the Chinese Deputy Minister of Culture Zao Shaohua, the Deputy Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Lazarus Dokora, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to China, Fredrick Shava, the Principal Director of Culture in the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Reverend Paul Damasane and the director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Elvas Mari.
They performed in Chinese, important songs in the history of China like Defend the Yellow River and May You Be Safe.
They also showcased Zimbabwean songs like Guva Rangu, Kusarima Jelimana and Hodobo.
The country’s traditional dances like amabhiza, mbakumba, jiti and jerusarema mbende were also exhibited in front of the dignitaries who clearly enjoyed the act, if the applause that they gave was anything to go by.
The group has created waves here due to its mastering and singing about five Chinese songs and local television stations are jostling to get interviews with the group and its officials.
So far the group’s leader Rachel Jera-Chigwanda, who is also the deputy director of the Zimbabwe College of Music, has had interviews with CCTV News, China Radio International and China Africa.
They are flying the nation’s flag high with the song Mai Zimbabwe, which talks about how beautiful their motherland and its people are.
Speaking after the show, Shava said it was important for such cultural exchanges to take place as they strengthen relationships.
“This presentation was characteristic of Zimbabwe. Where else in the world have you seen the Borrowdale dance?” he said.
The deputy general manager of China Cultural International Tours Corporation, Yang Qing said she was surprised that a Zimbabwean group could sing Chinese songs that were important to her country’s history.
“Zimbabweans and Chinese are similar. We all love our countries and I was so pleasantly surprised that they could sing songs like Defend the Yellow River so well,” she said.
The group has been performing everyday since its arrival here and it has been well received by the public.
It was also part of the act at the official opening of the 11th China Choral Festival and the International Federation for Choral Music World Choral Summit at the weekend.
Online Reporter