Martin Muleya
This weekend music enthusiasts from across Manicaland Province will converge at Muchina Muhombe bar in Penhalonga for the highly anticipated Delta Beverages Chibuku Neshamwari provincial finals.
This year’s festival will run under the theme ‘Ngoma Ngairire Shamwari, Tshay’sgubhu Mngane’.
The event promises to be an electrifying showcase of traditional music and dance, with ten talented groups from various districts vying for a spot in the national finals.
Mansa (Jerusarema Mbende), Chenhaka Dance Academy (Chinyambera), Mbiriyakare traditional dance (Mangoni), Watyemhembwe traditional dance (Jaka), Maungwe (Zhana), Makoni (Zhana), Chivaraidze Chipinge Prison (Muchongoyo) and Charurwa dance group.
The competition has generated significant buzz, with large crowds expected to attend the event. Defending champions Vibrand Band (Afrofusion) will look to retain their title, but they will face stiff competition from other talented groups. Each performance is expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage and musical prowess of Manicaland’s diverse communities.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) provincial manager Caroline Makoni in a telephone interview with The Midweek Watch highlighted that the competition will be full of fireworks as all the dance groups are raring to go.
“The Chibuku Neshamwari provincial competitions will roar into life on Saturday at Muchina Muhombe bar in Tsvingwe. All the preparations have been done and dusted and it is all systems go. Ten traditional dance groups will be battling it out for the honours to represent Manicaland at the national finals. Judging from the caliber of the groups, the competition is going to be stiff,” said Makoni.
The Chibuku Neshamwari competition has become a staple of Zimbabwe’s music scene, providing a platform for emerging artists to gain recognition and exposure. The national finals, scheduled for Harare in July, will feature the best groups from each province, competing for the top prize and bragging rights.
This weekend’s event in Penhalonga is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience, with pulsating rhythms, captivating dance moves and infectious energy. Music lovers and fans of traditional Zimbabwean music will not want to miss the opportunity to witness the next big stars emerge.
