Thousands attend Kwekwe July Arts Festival

Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
About 5 000 people thronged Torwood Stadium in Redcliff for the new look  Kwekwe July Arts Festival which was held last weekend.

The three-day jamboree, spearheaded by Local Government Minister July Moyo, saw winners in different sporting and cultural activities walking away with cash prizes and medals for their achievements.

Formerly run by Kwekwe City Council alone, the festival was bigger and better after it roped in Redcliff Municipality and Zibagwe Rural District Council. Minister Moyo said the plan was to bring together the people of Kwekwe and encourage peace ahead of the July 30 harmonised election.

“The idea was that the three local authorities work together and bring together the people of Kwekwe and its surrounding areas. I am happy it came out to be a success as thousands as you can see managed to attend to show their support for the event,” he said.

He said the festival also brings about infrastructural development as it will in future be held on a rotational basis.

“The festival has benefited Redcliff immensely. Infrastructure has been developed,  in particular Torwood Stadium which had been lying idle.

“We hope to see premiership football matches being played in this stadium in future. Not only that, but boreholes have been drilled also in preparation for the festival. So that is development we are talking about,” he said.

Chairperson of the Festival organising committee who is also Kwekwe City Housing Director Mr Edson Chiyangwa said the festival managed to live within its budget.

“This was a magnificent festival like never before. The attendance was resounding and it lived up to billing,” he said.

Mr Chiyangwa said everything went according to plan.

“We managed to live within our $15 000 budget as projected. So we did not strain our budget or fall too short. So kudos to the team and we hope to even improve it further next time,” said Mr Chiyangwa.

DJ Stavo, Peter Moyo and local bands were part of the entertainment line-up that wowed the crowd.