KADOMA — The sleepy town of Kadoma burst into life on Saturday when 10 upcoming traditional dance groups locked horns in the Delta Beverages-sponsored Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival held at Chisangano beer gardens in Rimuka, that saw Kadoma’s Nengoma Cultural Arts crowned kings.
Nengoma Cultural Arts won $500 cash prize money and will represent Mashonaland West in the national competition pencilled for September 15 at Harare Gardens. Chegutu-based mbira group, Mhondoro Dzeucheka, who came second walked away $300 richer while another Chegutu nyau ensemble Nguvayakaoma, won $200 for coming third. All participating groups got $100 appearance fees. Speaking at the festival, National Arts Council provincial manager Jephias Makumucha said people should value arts and culture and urged various stakeholders to sponsor and promote budding groups. “People should value arts and culture. Private sector players and the government should sponsor competitions such as the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Festival in order to promote upcoming groups who face resource constraints, to enter mainstream showbusiness,” said Makumucha. Other groups that performed included Aryshire Gure Club of Muriel Mine, Tsitsamwana of Kadoma, Kadoma Mbira Group, Musundasora of Zvimba, Chegutu Chumutali and Chegutu Gure Malawi.
