WERRAS Park in Glen View came alive with colour, rhythm and cultural pride on Saturday as Shingai Dance Troupe emerged victorious at the Harare provincial finals of the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival, securing a place at the national finals in Bulawayo on July 11.
Performing an authentic and captivating mbakumba dance, Shingai outclassed a strong field of competitors to claim the provincial title and a US$2 500 cash prize.
Pasichigare Performing Arts finished second after an impressive muchongoyo performance, earning US$1 500, while Karingezuva Dance Group secured third place with an energetic chinyambera routine to pocket US$1 000.
The remaining participating groups received US$500 each as performance allowances in recognition of their efforts to preserve Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage.
The Harare showcase attracted thousands of culture enthusiasts and featured performances from some of the country’s leading traditional dance ensembles.
The competition was particularly notable for the strong representation of Gule Wamkulu groups, highlighting the diversity and vibrancy of Zimbabwe’s cultural traditions.
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Entertainment was provided by Jah Master and Andy Muridzo, who kept the crowd entertained with a mix of popular hits and new releases between performances and prize-giving ceremonies. Through its flagship Chibuku brand, Delta Corporation continues to support the festival’s growth and cultural significance.
Speaking at the event, Delta Corporation general manager for corporate affairs, Patricia Murambinda, said the festival remained the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s cultural landscape for the past 62 years.
She said the company’s commitment went beyond sponsorship, describing the festival as an important platform for safeguarding cultural identity, transmitting indigenous knowledge between generations and fostering national pride.
“Chibuku Neshamwari is more than a dance competition. It is a celebration of Zimbabwe’s identity, heritage and community spirit. As the makers of Chibuku, a proudly Zimbabwean brand deeply rooted in our communities, we are committed to supporting initiatives that preserve and celebrate our cultural heritage for future generations,” she said.
Murambinda added that the festival aligned with Delta’s broader sustainability and community development agenda by promoting social cohesion, cultural expression and inclusion, while creating opportunities for communities to celebrate their heritage through dance, music and storytelling.
She reaffirmed Delta’s commitment to working with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association to strengthen platforms that preserve traditional arts and contribute to the growth of Zimbabwe’s creative economy.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Harare provincial arts manager William Ndinde praised the high standard of performances, saying the event reflected Zimbabwe’s cultural diversity and unity.
Pasichigare Performing Arts chairperson Charles Mukege expressed delight after his group’s second-place finish, describing the result as the reward for months of rehearsals and dedication to perfecting the chizingiri variant of the muchongoyo dance.
Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association president Kennedy Kachuruka said the festival should be viewed as a platform for cultural exchange and heritage appreciation rather than a mere competition.
Six provincial champions have now secured places at the national finals: Shingai Dance Troupe (Harare), Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble (Bulawayo), Dzimbabwe Nengoma Ensembles (Mashonaland Central), Musa (Masvingo), Bolamba Culture Birds (Matabeleland South) and Marondera Nyau (Mashonaland East).
Running under the theme Yorira Ngoma Shamwari, Siyakhal' Is’gubhu Mngane, the festival continues to celebrate Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage through music, dance and storytelling.