The Sunday News
Sunday Leisure Reporter
MATABELELAND artistes are going to rub shoulders with top notch foreign artistes such as American RnB pop icon R Kelly as they have been invited to perform at the Harare International Carnival starting on Friday in a massive cultural exchange programme meant to promote tourism through arts.
However, a number of the artistes from the region may fail to attend the event because of budgetary constraints coupled with corporate sponsor reluctance. And out of the more than 10 groups from the Matabeleland region that were invited, only four have so far confirmed participation at the mega arts and tourism event.
Anticipation is high among most Zimbabweans who are eager to see the much touted Brazilian Samba dancers adorning nothing but different colour paints who could not make it last year as promised showcasing their act in the streets of Harare.
The event will be running under the theme “Celebrating our Diversity”.
The carnival, a brainchild of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), has invited different artistes from Matabeleland such as renowned Bulawayo songbird Sandra Ndebele with her group Intombi Zomqangala, Rhythm Unplugs, Makhishi Dance Group from Victoria Falls and award-winning Bulawayo dance group, Magesh Tornadoes.
ZTA communications manager, Sugar Chagonda said various artistes from Matabeleland have been invited to perform at the carnival although only a few have responded.
“We have invited a number of Matabeleland artistes but only a few have confirmed while others are still struggling to get funding. We wanted as many artistes as possible, the whole idea being the need to promote inclusivity. Most of the artistes have not yet confirmed their participation while some have raised concern over lack of sponsors,” he said.
Chagonda added that the ZTA was not sponsoring the artistes. “We are not funding them. They have to fund themselves and most of them have failed to get sponsorship, only a few have therefore confirmed that they will take part at the carnival,” he said.
He added that preparations were at an advanced stage and expressed hope that by the time the carnival begins a number of Matabeleland artistes would have confirmed.
Sandra Ndebele confirmed in an interview with Sunday Leisure that she was going to participate at the carnival as per the invitation from ZTA.
“I signed a contract with ZTA to perform at the carnival and yes we will be there. We have been preparing for the event. It’s a platform to market both ourselves as artistes and Zimbabwean culture in a bid to promote tourism through arts,” she said.
ZTA hopes that the carnival will give Zimbabwean musicians a chance to show the world their artistic skills from a diverse cultural background they come from.
“The carnival will present artistes with a platform to showcase their talents, be it in dancing or singing. Those that are into visual arts can sell their artefacts on the day and those promoting traditional costumes also have a big market at the carnival,” said Chagonda adding that the carnival was an all encompassing arts event.
Chagonda said various entertainment events like jazz concerts, Zim-dancehall and traditional music like Mbira would be performed to celebrate the cultural and artistic diversity.
He said there would be a night dedicated to the most popular Harare Dancehall music titled the Caribbean Night.
“We have planned to dedicate a single day to Zim-dancehall which seems to be growing popular in the city with each passing day. We are trying to cater for all ages and make the event a pleasant and fun-filled one,” said Chagonda.
Foreign artistes like the Brazilian samba dancers whose culture allows them to leave nothing to imagination and American RnB pop singer R Kelly are also expected to perform at the carnival.
Chagonda said the closing ceremony would take place at the National Sports Stadium.
“The carnival street party, the main highlight of the celebrations will take place on 24 May and we will close the carnival with the carnival music concert which will take place at the National Sports Stadium,” he said.
He added that the mega arts and tourism event would be punctuated by breathtaking performances from foreign artistes who have been invited.
