ICONIC TRADITIONAL DANCE SHOW MARKS 60th ANNIVERSARY, ROARS AGAIN

THE annual Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival preliminaries get underway tomorrow at Boss Netto Bar, Bindura, Mashonaland Province.

Now in its 60th edition, the showcase will head to all the country’s 10 provinces before culminating into a national event on August 5.

Event organisers, Delta Corporation, through its brand Chibuku, have pledged full support as the event continues to enrich local cultural heritage.

“It’s all systems go for this year’s edition and we are looking forward to the showcase in Mashonaland Central.

“We are also excited to celebrate 60 years of the competition which has stood the test of time since its first edition at Mai Musodzi Hall in Mbare.

“Through the competition, we can safely say as a corporate we have championed in promoting and developing talent around the country,” said Delta Corporation marketing director, Irimayi Muzorewa.

The Chibuku Neshwamwari Tradtional Dance Festival is hosted in partnership with the National Arts Council Zimbabwe (NACZ) and Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association (ZNTDA).

Themed: “Bira Remadhanzi, 60 Years Sithokozisa Ngezomgido!”, the traditional dance competition will see different groups showcasing different local traditional ethnic dances.

Winners will walk away with a US$15 000 grand prize while runners up will take home US$10 000 and US$7 500 respectively.

Harare and Bulawayo will host their provincial finals on 24 June and 15 July respectively.

The competition moves to Masvingo on June 3, Mat North and Mash East (June 10), Midlands (June 17), Mash West (July 1), Manicaland and Mat South on (July 8),

Participants at the provincial finals will also walk away with prize money.

Traditional groups, who wish to take part, are required to register first with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and ZNTDA to be able to participate.

Last year, Mutare’s Dapurahunanzva Dance Troupe won the competition.