The Sunday News
MASHONALAND East outfit, Makarekare dance troupe were yesterday crowned national traditional dance champions at the 52nd edition of the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival, at a colourful event that was held at Bulawayo’s White City stadium.
The group’s dance was so polished that it won the judges’ votes, shrugging off stiff competition from nine other groups representing their respective provinces.
The competition’s national finals were held in Bulawayo for the first time as traditionally they have been held at Harare Gardens in the capital.
For their efforts Makarekare walked away with $4 000.
In an interview with Sunday News after they were announced national champions, the group’s leader Mr Willard Muchapondwa attributed their victory to hard work, noting that the group would use the opportunity as a stepping stone to tackle the international market.
“We have been working hard over the years. This victory has surely inspired us to grow our brand which will see us going to the international platform, showing the world out there various Zimbabwean traditional dances. We feel honoured that out of the other nine groups, whose performances were equally polished, the judges picked us as the national champions.
“What is important now is that we don’t relax but we improve from where we are right now. Most importantly we would like to thank the sponsors of this competition, Delta, for giving small groups like us an opportunity to showcase what we do,” said Mr Muchapondwa.
The group was closely followed by Chinyakare dance group from Mashonaland Central who came in second and pocketed $3 000 while Mashonaland West’s Budiriro Arts came in third pocketing $2 000.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director Mr Elvas Mari paid tribute to all the 10 groups who participated in the competition and the other groups who took part in the provincial finals, saying this went a long way in keeping the country’s traditional dances alive.
“This competition gives our traditional groups an opportunity to showcase what they have and judging from the large numbers of groups who took part in the competition from the provincial finals, it goes to show you that our traditional dance category is quite alive.
“The partnership we have with Delta Beverages should also be commended, noting that this competition is celebrating its 52nd anniversary and we are hoping it goes on for many more years to come,” said Mr Mari.
Other groups that took part in yesterday’s finals included Ezimnyama (Bulawayo), Jahunda Community Arts (Matabeleland South), Undi Gure (Midlands), Gango Traditional Group (Masvingo), Dhuma Tasangana (Manicaland) and Shingai Dance Troop (Harare).
Last year the competition was won by Ngoma Dzepasi from Mashonaland East.
