Umoja: Zim team set to shine

Standard Style
The Zimbabwe contestants who will represent the nation at the Umoja Flying Carpet Cultural Exchange Programme started off with a show at the Zimbabwe College of Music on Wednesday.

The Zimbabwe contestants who will represent the nation at the Umoja Flying Carpet Cultural Exchange Programme (UFCCEP) started off with a show at the Zimbabwe College of Music on Wednesday.

Kudzayi Zvinavashe

The well-attended event was the first of a series of shows running under the theme; Umoja Madamburo.

The event gave the audience a chance to sample the brilliant talent from the contestants that will soon be representing them.

The exceptional performance of their own compositions and songs like Mukuru by superstar Oliver Mtukudzi, Amai by the late Sam Mtukudzi and System Tazvida’s Museve took the audience down memory lane, given the magnificent delivery by the contestants.

The dancers on the other hand did not disappoint as they performed exceptionally choreographed dances with acute execution and simultaneous paces that told a story to the audience.

Such polished acts by the contestants come after a week’s rehearsals.

It is quite evident that the contestants chosen to represent Zimbabwe this year make up a “dream team”. Silent Ntendere, the artistic guitarist who participated at the Clash of the Guitarists at the last edition of Hifa and Natash Durawo, a finalist at last year’s edition of StarBrite, are some of talented youths that make up the team.

“We are confident that this year’s participants will make Zimbabwe proud and will show our foreign partners how talented Zimbabweans are since we are the hosts,” said Rumbidzai Chipendo, Umoja national manager.

“This is the first show and we are supposed to host nine more in the build-up to the final show that will be held at 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, Harare.”

Umoja country manager Farai Kuzvidza said the next show would be at Twin Rivers Primary School today.

Foreign teachers who will oversee the contestants when they go in camp at Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton are expected on July 28 before a teachers’ workshop the following day.

Artistes are expected in camp on July 30.

One of the contestants Martha Doma said: “I am thankful of the opportunity Umoja has provided me with and I hope to further my musical career on the back of this rare opportunity.” Zimbabwe hosts this year’s edition of the UFCCEP.