TellZim reporter
Great Zimbabwe monuments-based Dzimba Dzamabwe shrugged off completion from other nine contesting groups to be crowned the 2022 Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance festival provincial winners in a tight contest at Farai beerhall in Mucheke suburb on June 11.
The winners pocketed a prize money of US$ 2 500 and are set to represent the province at national competitions that are going to be held later this year in a date and venue to be announced.
Dzimba Dzamabwe leader Remison Dengu Mushipe said he saw it coming and was very confident the group would emerge victorious after thorough practices they had prior to the competition and is optimistic they would make it at national competitions.
“We saw it coming that we would be victorious because in this province, we always come out tops at competitions. At the national competitions, we promise fireworks because after this victory, we are not going to rest but would polish up and fine tune our acts so that we position ourselves for pole position.
“We need to work on and improve our choreography so that we won’t have difficulties at the national competitions. Even if we miss the first position and come out second or third, we won’t have any hard feelings but we would give our rivals a run for their money,” said Mushipe.
He also said the secret behind their success is grooming youngsters who would carry on with the group’s ambitions after they pass on.
“We have got a village training centre where we train young people because after we pass on, they in turn assume responsibility and move on with the interests of the group.
“Our main aim behind training these young people is to let them know more about their culture. They are the true inheritors of Zimbabwean tradition,” added Mushipe.
The centre of attraction was Dengu’s daughters Beauty and Rachel Dengu and Talent Muzembi who showcased their dancing prowess to the delight of the onlookers who were left clamouring for more when they left the stage.
Beauty who is currently studying Musicology Ethnomusicology at Great Zimbabwe University said the art runs in the family blood saying her grandfather was a traditional healer and passed it to her father who is the group leader.
“My grandfather was a traditional leader and so is my father, so we were born in it, I started traditional dancing at a very tender age and that’s why I decided to do a degree in musicology so that I can further my talent and help cascade it to others,” said Beauty.
In second place were Chivi-based Jeketera reNyaningwe who walked away with US$ 1 500 after putting on a spirited performance but had some minor setbacks which cost them the first position which they wanted.
“We did very well on the stage but unfortunately some of our members had their attire (magagada) and props worn out during the show. We were expecting number one and but next time we will hopefully make it since today was our first time participating at this stage,” said the group representative.
In third position were Dzimbahwe who walked away US$ 1 000 richer while all the other contestants got US$ 5 00 each.
The competition saw a huge turn out and the hall was filled to its maximum capacity.
