Branton Matondo
Mutare-A total of 10 traditional dance groups from Manicaland province are set to battle it out for top honours in Chipinge when they participate in this year’s edition Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival.
Speaking to TellZim News, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) Provincial Manager for Manicaland Caroline Makoni said that for Manicaland province, 10 groups will battle it out in Chipinge.
“This year’s edition is no different to other celebrations because we are just doing it the normal way. The competitions start at provincial level and then graduate into the grand finale. So for our provincial competitions, they will be held at Dzonzai Beer hall in Chipinge. It has hosted quite a number of dance festivals before. 10 groups are going to battle it out at Dzonzai and the winner will proceed to the finals. Let me harsen to say that this is a tripartite programme hosted by NACZ, ZNTDA, and Delta Corporation who are the main sponsors,” said Makoni.
Prize money for gold, silver and bronze at national level are also out. Prize money for the first gong is US$ 15 000. Second placed group will walk away with US$ 10,000 while third placed finishers will pocket US$ 7 500.
The much anticipated traditional dance celebrations which are going to run under the theme ‘Bira Remadhanzi, 60 Years Sithokozisa Ngezomgido’ will be special as they coincide with the organization’s 60th anniversary.
This year’s provincial finals will kick start from May 27 to July 15, 2023.
Dance groups from Manicaland will be heading to Chipinge at Dzonzai Gaza for what promises to be a mind blowing clash.
In official communiqué, Chibuku brewers Delta Corporation cited that the festival, in partnership with National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association (ZNTDA) will kick start with provincial finals from all 10 provinces.
“Chibuku works closely with its partners, the National Arts Council Zimbabwe (NACZ) and Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association (ZNTDA), in promoting and developing the arts in the community. Chibuku Neshamwari will kick off on the 27th of May 2023, across the ten provinces in the country. Chibuku Neshamwari will run ten provincial finals, which will culminate in a National Final, where provincial finalists will battle it out for the top spot. Winners get to walk away with monetary prizes at both provincial and national level,” read the statement by Delta Corporation.
The annual event has stood through the test of time having since its debut in Mbare at Mai Musodzi Hall long back.
Delta Corporation is involved, through its principal subsidiary Delta Beverages, in the brewing of lager and traditional beer and the bottling of soft drinks under license from the Coca Cola Company.
It operates one of the largest distribution networks of depots and delivery fleets in Zimbabwe.
