THE government’s call to consider the decentralisation of the annual Harare International Carnival to the country’s nine other provinces as a way of sustaining the carnival concept might not happen anytime soon following Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA)’s announcement that Harare would once again host the carnival this year.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
Vice-President Emmerson Mnangangwa told guests at last year’s Carnival reception at the Harare mayoral mansion in Gunhill that the decentralisation of the festival would give each province an opportunity to showcase itself.
“I envisage, in the future, each province through its capital for starters, hosting a carnival at least once a year to the extent that our 10 provinces can all be accommodated,” he said.
“The all lead to principle can be invoked to give each province an opportunity to showcase itself, but with guaranteed support from the entire country.”
The idea, however, has remained a pipedream following indications by ZTA that the fourth edition of the festival will be held from September 14 to 17 in Harare under the theme Celebrating Our Diversity.
“The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is pleased to announce that the fourth edition of the Harare International Carnival will be held from 14 to 17 September 2016 in Harare,” read part of the statement.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“Registration for all interested participants is currently in progress at all Zimbabwe Tourism Authority offices across the country. More details of the carnival route, events and dates will be announced in due course.”
The festival, a platform where different countries showcase their cultures, encompasses a series of events and festivities with the major highlight being the Samba Night — an event that usually draws a stellar line-up of performers that include samba dancer Momo King from Brazil.
Last year’s addition featured international musicians among them Congolese soukous singer, Koffi Olomide, who headlined the star-studded line-up of performers for the Rhumba night and Mr Melody from Jamaica who headlined the Ragga Socca Night.
