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INKULULEKO Yabatsha School of Arts (Iyasa) last week returned from a successful European tour where the group once again left lasting impressions.
Iyasa performed in Austria, Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic among other countries during their three-month tour.
The successful trip saw group leader, Future Sibanda, who is well known for his comic gestures and polished dancing, being granted a year-long scholarship to study Theatre Arts at a university in Austria.
Iyasa director Innocent Dube hailed his group for maintaining their exceptional standards.
“Well, I can confirm that the European tour was a huge success and we are moving miles ahead in developing more young artists,” said Dube.
“We managed to secure contracts to regularly perform in those countries and I must say, the support that we have been receiving is great.
“We are working in collaboration with various other groups in the industry such as Siyaya Arts.
Dube explained that during many of their tours, Jerusarema, Isitshikitsha and Amabhiza dances had proved to be very popular.
“Our more prominent project is entitled Mother Africa which portrays the natural beauty, artistic splendor and talent within Africa.
“It runs for two hours.
“The show is so big that it reached out to Nigeria and other West African countries.
“In fact right now, the project is on course in Australia then the next tour soon afterwards will be New Zealand,” he said.
Iyasa, as an arts group aims to support and promote the interests of young musicians, dancers, actors and poets.
However there are allegations that only senior members of the group are afforded the chance to go on foreign trips.
Dube vehemently denied the accusations pointing out that they were in fact focusing their attention on younger members of the group.
“We are replacing the more experienced actors and dancers with younger talent.
“On this recent European tour, we had four youngsters on board and next year, we intend to incorporate three more youngsters,” he said.
The group is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and it intends to celebrate the milestone by its outreach programmes beyond the Matabeleland region.
Iyasa also works with Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust in running workshops and talent search programmes in secondary schools in the region.
The major goal of the project is to revive arts activities in schools especially in music, drama, theatre and dance through training and promotion of hidden talent within the schools.
“We have learnt that in many European countries, it is the parents, schools and various organisations who prop up young talent from the moment it is spotted in a child.
“They have their regular idol competitions and the young artist soon becomes a star as he or she grows up.
“That is a good approach to arts development and we will implement such an approach.”
BY KUDZAI CHIMHANGWA
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