The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
THE much-awaited inaugural Nyanga Arts Festival will roar to life from October 28 to 29 with an array of activities and musical performances set to light up the farming and resort town.
One of Zimbabwe’s finest musicians, Jah Prayzah, afro-jazz sensation, Feli Nandi and MC Abisha Palmer are some of the major highlights expected to light up the festival.
Workshops will also be held during the festival, while visitors will be accorded a chance to explore the beauty of the majestic Nyanga.
Unpacking the itinerary, organisers of the event, Nhimbe Trust said the festival will kick off with an all-night bira at Acting Chief Saunyama’s homestead.
Acting Chief Saunyama is the festival’s patron.
“On the cards are music performances, environmental theatre, visual arts, a Gota/Nhanga workshop and a music business workshop.
“Alongside are Nyanga cultural heritage, nature, bird watching and trout fishing tours – a cultural and environmental display with something for everyone.
Feli Nandi
“A mystical bira (all-night) at the traditional homestead of festival patron, Chief Saunyama at Nyatate will be there on Friday, October 28.
“The bira is a celebration of Nyanga’s jekunje dance and nyonganyonga/ malimba featuring the Music according to percussion ensemble led by Othnell Mangoma-Moyo, Mystery and Sarungano and The Storytellers Band.
“Saturday (October 29) features one of Zimbabwe’s highest trending artistes, Jah Prayzah, along with Feli Nandi and MC Abisha Palmer.
“For musicians, the weekend starts on Thursday (October 27) with a music business workshop facilitated by industry experts, Melody Zambuko, Sam Mataure and Lisa Sidambe,” reads part of the statement.
Nhimbe Trust executive director, Josh Nyapimbi said heritage preservation is at the core of the Nyanga Arts Festival and its rallying theme ‘Cultural Heritage Tourism and Climate Change’.
“The Nyanga Arts Festival is highly inclusive to uplift Zimbabwean cultural and arts practices while promoting and showcasing Nyanga as a tourist destination of choice,” he said.
The festival will be staged at two venues – the Montclair Hotel and Casino and at Chief Saunyama’s homestead.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority head of corporate affairs, Godfrey Koti said the festival will boost domestic tourism.
“There is quite a lot of attention on the destination and we are encouraging Zimbabweans from all walks of life to converge in Nyanga for the festival to witness the best that Nyanga has to offer.
“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 NDS1 which speaks to domestic tourism and plays a big role in our ongoing ZimBho campaign,” said Koti.
Montclair general manager, Brian Nyakutombwa said they are geared to be part of the hosts.
“We are very excited by the opportunity to be hosting the inaugural Nyanga Arts Festival.
“It will be the first time for the people of Nyanga to witness such an event and playing host to a lot of visitors from other parts of the country.
“We are excited about the ongoing preparations and the responses we are receiving from the market.
“It is the first for so many things – the first for the festival to be held in Nyanga, a first for Montclair to host it and a first for Jah Prayzah to perform at Montclair – so people must come prepared for unforgettable fun. Nyanga is a prime tourist destination,” he said.
