The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
A HIVE of activity and festivities are expected to illuminate Nyanga this weekend as the maiden edition of the Nyanga Arts Festival roars to life.
The first ever event of its kind in the farming and resort town kick-started yesterday, with a music business master class exhibition set for Nyanga Country Club.
Today, theatrical works titled “An act of man” will take place at Maereka Primary School.
Later during the day, there will be a bira (traditional ceremony) at the festival’s patron and traditional leader, Acting Chief Saunyama’s homestead in Nyatate as well as a musical performance by Mystery and The Story Tellers Band.
Saturday night is expected to be an electrifying day as one of the country’s most sought after musician, Jah Prayzah, will headline a gig, alongside fast rising songstress, Feli Nandi.
Another entertainer, MC Abisha Palmer will entertain fun lovers on the turntables.
The festival is expected to draw people from across the country.
This will see attendees exploring mystique and tourism sites in the farming town, including Mutarazi Falls, Nyanga Mountains, Nyangombe Falls and Worlds View.
Feli Nandi
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director, Nicholas Moyo said the hosting of the event is an awesome development.
“The hosting of the inaugural Nyanga Arts Festival is a much-welcome development for the cultural and creative sector in Zimbabwe and is proof that the sector has managed to pick itself up and recover from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The festival is a unique opportunity to uplift Zimbabwe’s diverse arts and cultural products, while promoting and showcasing Nyanga as a tourist destination of choice.
“I would like to congratulate the organisers for putting up this event which provides a platform for artists to showcase their craft, share experiences in the workshop which is part of the festival and above all increase the platform for the consumption of local cultural and creative sector products and services,” said Moyo.
Nhimbe Trust executive director, Josh Nyapimbi said it is all systems go.
“The programme is alive with diversity – from deep traditional to popular contemporary African music, environment-conscious theatre, the work of sculptors and craftspeople of Nyanga, a music business master class and NGO directors’ summer retreat. Fun lovers will also sample Nyanga’s fine ciders and other produce and embark on sightseeing tours. There will be something for everyone during this great family weekend outing.
“The people of Nyanga are geared to welcome visitors for this inaugural event which will lay the foundation for increased awareness and appreciation for the tourism sites in this unique part of the country.
“The Eastern Highlands are steeped in history and rich in its unique cultural traditions. It is endowed with the pristine beauty of rolling hills and majestic mountains. We are pleasantly surprised by the high level of organisation and the sense of community responsibility. We are grateful to volunteers who will embark on a clean-up exercise at Juliasdale,” said Nyapimbi.
