×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Community keeps Mash East Cultural Festival going

News
ORGANISERS of the just-ended Mashonaland East Cultural Festival have hailed the Murewa-Uzumba community for their contribution

ORGANISERS of the just-ended Mashonaland East Cultural Festival (MECUF) have hailed the Murewa-Uzumba community for their contribution towards the annual four-day event that brought in a record attendance.

BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA

The annual festival, which ran from last Wednesday to Sunday, witnessed a gospel concert and textile and design exhibition.

Programmes officer, Currathers Hungwe said given the current harsh economic conditions, the community played a major role in ensuring that the festival was a success.

“The community collected grains in the form of maize and millet to support the festival through brewing beer and providing food for the guests and participating artistes,” he said.

“Traditional leaders were present and were introduced to the concept of preserving and conserving Murewa Caves for tourism purposes.”

The festival started off at Murewa Caves, where an opening bira ceremony was held on Wednesday night and traditional leaders spearheaded the cultural proceedings, while Jerusarema/Mbende traditional dance groups took turns to perform their dances.

A beast was slaughtered, while those who attended were treated to traditional opaque beer popularly known as “seven days”.

Chief Mangwende, Headman Zihute and other government heads of department attended the opening ceremony.

On Thursday, various artistes showcased their works in sculpture, painting and drawing, while a modelling pageant was held and saw the crowning of Shylet Dzongololo (22) and Lancelot Mhlanga (24) as Miss and Mr Rural respectively.

Murewa town reverberated on Friday, as local schools participated in various cultural disciplines that included traditional dance, theatre and drama.

Dancehall chanter, Killer T took over at night and gave a scintillating performance before hundreds of his fans, who thronged Murewa Culture Centre.