The usually sleepy mining town of Zvishavane came to life last week on Saturday when the Ingwebu Cultural Dance Festival descended on the town for the Midlands provincial competitions that were held at Mandava Beer- hall.
By Sindiso Dube recently in Zvishavane
More than 10 groups drawn from the province battled for honours, which saw Kwekwe outfit Mbada Ensemble walking away as winners and pocketed $300. Second and third prizes went to Ziva Zvako Gure Group and Rangarira Pasichigare, who got $200 and $100 respectively.
Mbada Ensemble, who displayed great moves of the dinhe dance, also booked themselves a ticket to battle it out in the national finals set for Bulawayo.
Other groups which took part include Neta Traditional Dance Group, Maglas Chimutare, Undi Gure Club, Fix Changoma, Mazvihwa Traditional Dance Group, Matinunura Traditional Dance Group and Chipolopolo Traditional Dance Group.
Ingwebu Breweries have run similar competitions in Bulawayo, Gwanda and Lupane.
Mbada Ensemble leader Blessed William expressed gratitude that Ingwebu Breweries had given them an opportunity to showcase their talents.
“We don’t usually get such opportunities and we are happy that Ingwebu is promoting culture. It helps us celebrate the oneness in our different cultures through dance and other forms of arts,” he said.
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Ingwebu Breweries sales, marketing and corporate affairs executive Ndabezinhle Mlilo said they were impressed by the response and representation in Midlands province.
“From the competitions we have run so far, Zvishavane had the most representation and the response by the community was overwhelming,” he said.
“We are happy with the development and hope to come up with more activities in such areas.”
Mlilo said the opaque beer brewering company would continue supporting communities through its corporate social responsibility activities like cultural dances, among others.
