Collen Bawn host Chibuku Neshamwari

Entertainment
THE cement manufacturing town of Colleen Bawn tomorrow hosts various traditional dance groups in the Matabeleland South Chibuku Neshamwari Dance competition

THE cement manufacturing town of Colleen Bawn comes alive tomorrow with various traditional dance groups slugging it out in the Matabeleland South Chibuku Neshamwari Dance competition.

Report by Luyanduhlobo Makwati

The event is slated for Colleen Bawn Hall and will see 10 traditional dance groups drawn from across Matabeleland South battling for the top spot. Winners will represent the province in the national finals to be held later this year.

Matabeleland South provincial arts officer Nokuthula Moyo said it will be all systems go for tommorow’s competition with all groups having confirmed their participation.

“As the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), we have done our part and we are ready to roll this weekend in Colleen Bawn where we expect groups to liven up the spirits of the local community through various traditional dances,” he said.

Moyo appealed to people from the province to support their local budding traditional dance groups.

“As the arts council in the province, we are encouraging people to come in their numbers and support their artistes because if they do not come our artistes will feel let down,” he said.

The provincial winners of the 2010 competition, Chihoda from How-Mine are expected to be part of this year’s competition. The group is known for their waist-wriggling dances that are characterised by fancy footwork and silky moves that are a marvel to watch.

Last year’s provincial winners Inqama Yophondo will be the guest group and are billed to entertain guests before the start of the dance competition.

Some of the dance groups that will take part in the competition include Balamba, Gure Wamkure, Chihoda, Ngesaba, Zonda Mthakathi and Chihoda Tonga. Meanwhile, Matabeleland North will host the Chibuku Neshamwari traditional dance competition on June 15 in Lupane, while Bulawayo will host theirs a week later at Manor Hotel.

William Nyandoro, the Bulawayo programmes officer, encouraged local traditional dance groups to register before June 14, the closing date for the competition. Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance competition is organised by NACZ in collaboration with Delta Beverages, brewers of Chibuku traditional beer.