ORGANISERS of the Old Mutual National Choral Festival have weaned Zimbabwe to be a standalone region this year, giving it the green light to host its own regional leg of the festival on August 27 at Celebration Centre in Harare.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
In previous years, Zimbabwean choral groups had to compete in the Limpopo Province Regional Competition. Chitungwiza Harmony Singers (CHS) emerged as a regional powerhouse over the past two decades, winning six times. The winning choir from Zimbabwe is set to join regional winners from South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland for the two-day finals set for December 10 to 11 in South Africa.
Old Mutual Zimbabwe chief executive officer Jonas Mushosho, said he was happy that the country will be hosting its own finals.
“Choral music plays an important role in the lives of many communities. It is part of the rich fabric of our African nation and it helps to build bridges,” he said.
“Old Mutual is a proud title sponsor of this prestigious event, as we continually strive to support the great communities where we operate. It is also aligned to our mission of helping to cultivate excellence and enabling positive futures.”
Mushosho said they expect people to come in their numbers, adding they had selected a top-class venue that will reflect the stature and uplifting spirit of the Old Mutual National Choir Festival.
Chitungwiza Harmony Singers marketing manager, Peter Thole, welcomed the move for Zimbabwe to be a standalone region and described it as an honour for the nation to host the prestigious festival.
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“The move to be a standalone region is much appreciated as it was overdue, as we have been lobbying for it for the past 10 years,” he said.
“As Chitungwiza Harmony Singers, we have tried our best in terms of preparing for this competition, although we started rehearsals too late due to other songs like Zimsuite, which demanded a lot of our time, but we will not disappoint our followers.”
He said some of the groups that will compete for honours at the festival are Midlands State University Choir, Victory Chorale Choir, Spiritoso Choir, Dangamvura Old Students Association, Bulawayo Choristers, Masvingo Vibratos Choir and Heavenly Praises Choir.
