JACARANDA Culture and Media Corporation (JCMC) and the Chinese Federation of Zimbabwe (CFZ), organisers of the Dream Star talent show in conjunction with Nash Paints, have pledged to paint school blocks at Dombodzvuku Primary School in Murehwa as an incentive for promotion of arts in the area.
BY KENNEDY NYAVAYA
The CFZ and Nash Paints on Friday travelled to Murehwa with the other contestants to visit the Dombodzvuku Primary traditional dance group, which has reached the competition’s grand finale set for December 17 at Harare International Conference Centre.
Nash Paints also promised to donate stationery for the pupils next year.
The dance group, which hogged the limelight at the competitions through their unique Mbende and Jerusarema dance style, could not join others in boot camp, as schools are yet to close for the holidays.
Speaking to the media at the event, the show’s artistic director, Leonard Mapfumo said the visit was meant to create a bond with the community.
“This trip was for the contestants to appreciate where some of their colleagues come from and also to encourage parents from different backgrounds to embrace arts. The group has made it this far in the competition, so we had to come and see where they come from (and) we are hoping to create relations with such schools which support arts,” he said.
The school’s headmaster, Phidellis Mukubvu applauded the move by the competition organisers and told NewsDay that conservative rural folk needed to be constantly shown how their children’s artistry could be used to sustain their lives even without advanced academics.
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“We have always stressed that the arts are as important as academics and the fact that it was happening in the presence of the parents is a step in the right direction in making it known in the community,” he said.
Meanwhile, with only a few days left before the grand finale, Mapfumo said the boot camp has created friendships between contestants, as they are working together to bring out their best on the final day.
“The boot camp has been going well and the groups are now working together, as they are no longer taking it as a competition, but are rather embracing each other’s talents.”
