The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa : Chipinge Correspondent
PREPARATIONS for the 4th edition of the Ndau Festival of Arts scheduled for next Saturday are at an advanced stage.The festival will be held at Paiyapo Arts Centre, Bangira Village in Chipinge.The festival chairperson, Mr Phillip Kusasa, said scores of arts groups from across the country had confirmed their participation.
Reputable Ndau writer, Mrs Joice Simango, who was the first women to publish a Ndau novel in 1974 will be the guest of owner.
Researchers from tertiary institutions such as University of Zimbabwe, Great Zimbabwe University and Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University are expected to grace the event.
Mr Kusasa said he was expecting a bigger event as the festival was getting better with each passing year.
“We are happy with the response we are getting from cultural groups across the country who pledged to showcase what they know best on this day.
“The door is still open to anyone who want to take part and they can contact us on 0775240818. We are urging everyone in Chipinge District to grace this event as more activities are lined up,” he said.
Mr Kusasa called on minority groups in Zimbabwe to take part in this festival as a way of telling the country about their way of living.
“The new Constitution upgraded minority languages such as Ndau, Nambya, Shangaan, Kalanga, Tonga and Venda as official languages hence we are urging these groups to come and exhibit their culture.
“We are also encouraging more schools to participate as we know that every school in the country has its culture group.
“There will be exhibitions of craft, traditional foods and herbs,” said Mr Kusasa.
This year’s Chibuku Neshamwari national champions, Redwing Mine’s Ben Arinoti will be among the cultural groups set to participate.
The Ndau Festival of Arts is a community-based festival aimed at promoting minority culture through music, traditional dance and crafts.
