Raisedon Baya

LAST week I was in the capital for the Harare International Carnival, held courtesy of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. This was an education trip as Intwasa, in partnership with Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Ministry of Tourism, is also planning Bulawayo’s 1st Street Carnival scheduled for end of September. The Harare Carnival was huge. There were over 100 groups that participated. Over two dozen foreign countries were represented and as usual the Brazilians lit the event. More than 70 000 people must have attended the carnival. Drinks flowed from everywhere and everyone was in a celebratory mood.

And to think the week before the carnival trended on social media over the issue of Zodwa Wabantu. Most people thought her absence would dampen the spirit of carnival goers and spoil the fun. But this did not happen as only a handful of people in the crowds were screaming for Zodwa.

The carnival totally disrupted the everyday routine of Harare life — which is basically what every good event worth its salt must do — disrupt the status quo. I loved the diversity of the participants and their presentations — bikers, clowns and comedians, acrobats, drum majorettes, cheerleaders, traditional dancers, bands, churches and corporates that were simply there for visibility. With the numbers that were in the streets and at the final point the carnival was just too good an opportunity to advertise. Pity