Mitambo Festival for Africa Day

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A Harare-based events company — OV Events — is organising a rare treat of a traditional and culturally-rich festival to celebrate Africa Day on May 25 at Belgravia Sports Club.
Nhodo… One of the games to be played at Mitambo Festival

By Sindiso Dube

A Harare-based events company — OV Events — is organising a rare treat of a traditional and culturally-rich festival to celebrate Africa Day on May 25 at Belgravia Sports Club.

Dubbed Mitambo Festival, the fiesta will see indigenous games being played, traditional foods being sold and African arts exhibited. The African drum will be at the centre of it all as the event will also encompass musical performances with revellers being ushered into an African turn-up experience.

Games that will be played include raka raka, hwishu, maflawu, one touch, bottle game, tsoro/ nhodo and also health checks.

OV Events director Junior Bakasa said the festival is meant to unite Africans and Zimbabweans in general, hence it’s coming on the day the continent celebrates being African.

“Mitambo Festival will bring families and people from diverse backgrounds together,” Bakasa said.

“Growing up Zimbabwean, we were very active and healthy as a result of the games we loved and played.

“It is our hope that people come through and get exercising in a fun environment and also show and teach their young ones how they used to do it, their ball-catching, kicking and jumping skills.

“It will be a place where people can feel young again and drown in nostalgia. The main agenda with Mitambo is not just another event, but a celebration of our culture as Zimbabweans and Africans as a whole.”

Entertainment on the day will be provided by local wheel-spinners — DJ Iroq and Scarra the Drummer — and also performances by John Cole as well as traditional acts and Afro-jazz performances from local artistes.

Bakasa has also extended invitations to medical insitutions and other corporates.

“Teams who wish to participate in any of the games are encouraged to register before the day to ensure that everything runs smoothly,” she said.

“Corporate teams and individual teams are all invited. Medical aid societies and corporates are also invited to come and exhibit on the day and support us as we raise awareness on living healthy lifestyles and active lives.”

The organisers of the festival plan to take the fiesta to Bulawayo later on this year.