The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
PREPARATIONS for the second edition of the Nyanga Arts Festival scheduled for October 26 to 29 are at an advanced stage, with an array of activities lined up to set the farming and tourism town ablaze.
Dendera musician, Sulumani Chimbetu and the late national hero, Oliver Mtukudzi’s protégé, Sarungano, will be among the main performers at Montclair Hotel and Casino, while a galaxy of local artistes will also be part of the line-up.
To kick-start the talent search, community radio station, Nyangani FM recently held successful auditions to shortlist outstanding upcoming local musicians and artistes across all genres to perform on October 28 at the Nyanga Arts Festival, Nyangani FM and ZIFM stage.
The outstanding musician from the list of upcoming musicians will also be offered a recording and promotion contract by Ilima Records, which is a record label established by Nhimbe Trust to facilitate the creation, production and marketing of indigenous music to enhance music business in Zimbabwe.
A golf tournament which will feature amateurs and professional golf players has been added on this year’s itinerary and it will be held on October 28 at Claremont Golf Club.
Nhimbe Trust executive director, Josh Nyapimbi said preparations for the festival are at an advanced stage.
“We are happy with the preparations done so far. We are thrilled with the excitement surrounding this year’s carnival. We will continue from where we left last year. We promise a bigger and better event this year.
“A massive golf tournament has been added to this year’s event, while artistes such as Sulumani Chimbetu and Sarungano, among others, are billed to perform. Various stakeholders have expressed interest to work with us and we are excited with the preparations done so far,” said Mapimbi.
In last year’s inaugural edition, one of Zimbabwe’s finest musicians, Jah Prayzah; Afro-jazz sensation, Feli Nandi and MC Abisha Palmer headlined the event and put up sterling performances in front of a bumper crowd that attended the three-day event.
An all-night bira was also held at the homestead of the festival’s patron, Acting Chief Saunyama, in Nyatate during the first night of the festival.
Just like last year, arts workshops will be conducted during the festival, while visitors will be accorded a chance to explore the beauty of the majestic Nyanga.
Other activities to be held this year include music performances, environmental theatre, visual arts, a Gota/Nhanga workshop and a music business workshop.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority said the Nyanga Arts Festival is a big boost to domestic tourism. ZTA’s head of corporate affairs, Godfrey Koti said: “We are grateful for the partnership we have with Nhimbe Trust, as it furnishes and affirms that Zimbabwe is indeed a multi-pronged destination that has arts and culinary activities to offer, as well as culture, the environment and adventure tourism.
“This is the place for it. This festival is in line with National Development Strategy (NDS1) which speaks to domestic tourism and plays a big role in our ongoing ZimBho Campaign.”
