The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube : Entertainment Correspondent
REDWING Mine Traditional Dance Group did Manicaland proud after defying all odds to win this year’s Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance national finals held at White City Stadium in Bulawayo last Saturday.The Penhalonga-based group who were Manicaland’s representatives in the 53rd edition of the contest, out-danced nine other provincial representatives and pocketed a whooping $7 000.
Sekunjalo MaAfrica from Bulawayo and Maramuro Agure from Harare pocketed $5 000 and $3 000 after coming out second and third respectively.
The group exhibited their trademark dance – Ben which originated from Malawi, but has been widely accepted in Zimbabwe as one of the most popular dances.
Beni Arinoti is a traditional style that was named after its founder, Arinoti.
The 18-member group won the 2011, 2014 and 2016 provincial finals before they shocked the country in last Saturday’s prestigious contest.
The group’s leader, Tupele Mudala, said they won the contest for two of their group members who were battling for their lives at Mutare Provincial Hospital.
“It was an emotional win for all of us. We won it for two of our group members who were not feeling well and were hospitalised at Mutare Provincial Hospital. We are glad that they are recovering. It was a tough competition, but we believed in ourselves. The whole group members put up top drawer performances and we won it.
“We won it as a group. Most of our competitors put their best, but we came out tops. We hope to improve the welfare of our members. We will pay them handsomely to motivate them,” said Mdala.
Sekunjalo MaAfrica exhibited some Mzansi dances, while Maramuro Agure showcased some Malawi nyau dances.
Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival which is sponsored by Delta Beverages is a multilateral programme organised by the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, a total of 10 groups will tomorrow (Saturday) vie for glory at this year’s Chibuku Road to Fame Manicaland provincial finals to be held at Chinyausunzi Beerhall in Sakubva.
All the groups confirmed participation.
The groups are Nengure Zimbabwe Traditional Music, Crazy Officers, Nice to Nice, Lion Kings, Tunes of Harmonies, Mbada Dzemafaro, Orchestra Mombe Mumunda, Dhimba Eastern Kings, Macca Sensation and Orchestra Simba Nenyasha. Nice to Nice is the only Passada group in a pool of sungura music specialists.
The winners will walk away with $1 000 cash prize, while the first and second runner-ups will scoop $500 and $300 respectively. Last year’s provincial winners, Mark Sounds, Ragga Manyika outfit, Assegai Crew and talented artiste, Kombayi Matonhodze will provide entertainment as guest groups.
