IBUMBA International Festival rolled out on Tuesday night in a colourful ceremony that was graced by artistes and people from various walks of life at Stanley Hall in Makokoba.
NONHLANHLA SIBANDA/ LUYANDUHLOBO MAKWATI
This year’s event runs under the theme “Seven days of no Limits”.
The director of Nhimbe Trust Josh Nyapimbi (guest of honour as well) urged artistes to take art seriously and stop from accepting grants and funds from donors as that had drastically affected the arts and culture industry with artistes viewed as charity cases.
“I would like to challenge all artistes in this event tonight and many more to stop accepting funds from donors and organisations as they are not charity cases. It is important for art to be treated as business and artistes are business people, hence the need to orient themselves in a business manner in a bid to improve the sector,” he said.
“I urge all established artistes to help groom the upcoming talent in the city so that our art will continue moving forward, so that we continue to hold such festivals for ever in this city and perpetuate our art and cascade it down to future generations, so that we can have even our young talent featuring in international audiences and forums even on international magazines where others feature,” Nyapimbi said.
Soon after the official act, guests moved to the auditorium at Stanley Square where Tshwalabenyoni, a maskandi musician hailing from Plumtree district, fused traditional and contemporary music sending guests into a frenzy. He was likened to Shabalala Rhythms of the Maqondana fame.
He displayed a unique skill on the acoustic and bass guitar.
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Vocal Ex took their act to the stage where they had a polished performance.
Of note was United Kingdom-based artiste Janet Wood who was branded as the friend of the festival since as she has become a permanent feature in this annual festival. The well organised event had a power cut in the middle of the performance.
However, event organisers managed to restore power and the fun continued till the early hours of yesterday morning.
A Bulawayo ensemble clad in African regalia danced a song choreography by the director of Ibumba International Festival, Simon Mambazo Phiri.
An a cappella group Family Voices did a rendition of Bhundu Boys’ Simbimbino and the director of ceremonies Babongile Sikhonjwa fused his own lyrics which left the audience in stitches.
Guests included Arts, Culture director and Heritage Ministry reverend Paul Damasane and Jeys Marabini, among others.
