The Sunday News
Rebecca Nyathi Sunday Leisure Reporter
THE fifth edition of the annual Youth Cultural Arts Festival (YOCAF) has been pencilled for between 30 July and 1 August this year with promises that the event will be bigger, bolder and better.This year the festival will have provincial preliminaries in five provinces, namely Masvingo, Manicaland, Midlands, Bulawayo and Harare after realisation of the overwhelming response from schools.
The festival will run under the theme “I WILL ACT NOW!”
YOCAF artistic director Leeroy Gono said in a statement that this year’s festival seeks to take a different approach, which will attract a larger group of participants.
“Owing to the overwhelming response from schools and due to the growth of the festival, we will this year be introducing YOCAF provincial preliminaries,” he said.
Gono noted that YOCAF was working hard to develop and cultivate theatre art in schools in all the provinces of the country so that youths have an interest and appreciation of the arts as a means of employment in line with the country’s economic blueprint, Zim Asset.
“Zimbabweans are extremely expressive and have a rich history of music, drama and dance. The political and social situation in the country is such that theatrical expression is vital to provide a form of entertainment, as well as an avenue for discussion and public dialogue for artistes and audiences alike.
“As we celebrate our 5th edition, we challenge almost everyone to be on board. Good quality theatre will build more interest as theatre is not all about entertainment but education as well. Topical issues are presented and dramatised giving the audience both laughter and information. That is what we are promoting,” he said.
One of the board members of the festival, Professor Hebert Chimhundu said this year’s theme could be interpreted differently.
“I — is reflective of the self or society; Will — shows commitment and confidence; ACT — is to do, a very clear agenda and Now — there is no need for procrastination.
“When young people speak with such resolve and confidence, it gives hope for the future,” he said.
The difference in this year’s festival is that schools have to qualify for the grand fete.
From each qualifying stage, three top schools will be awarded the opportunity to battle it out in the finals in Masvingo.
The preliminaries will be held in March and April, with schools interested in taking part in the event being urged to register by 6 February this year.
After launching the Walter Muparutsa award last year, the award remains the biggest accolade that is up for grabs this year.
The other two awards are the Professor R Zvobgo and Doug Hill awards.
The festival has forged many partnerships and has over the years seen some of the schools performing at grand festivals such as Hifa, Intwasa as well as cultural exchange programmes with other countries in the region.
