IYASA dance group was inspired by competitions like American Idols to come up with a talent search programme called Isiphiwo Sami, the group’s director Nkululeko Innocent Dube has said.
Report by Khulani Nkabinde
Dube told NewsDay at a trainer’s workshop held at Amakhosi Cultural Centre that he decided to launch the talent search programme that targets high schools in Bulawayo and surrounding areas after watching American Idols.
“I felt that young people in Zimbabwe also need to have access to programmes where they could showcase their talent,” said Dube. “My heart bled when I watched American Idols and I saw the judges saying things like ‘You sing like a horse’ that discourage upcoming artistes. If you say that to an aspiring musician, they will never sing again.
“Iyasa is a product of Mpopoma High School. Schools have the potential to create professionals.”
A total of 30 high schools are taking part in the Isiphiwo Sami talent search programme.
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Each school selects four pupils who work with two teachers in the programme and are tasked to come up with a production that incorporates all forms of performance arts.
The theme for this year’s programme is “Celebrating Life”.
“At the end of the school term, a competition is held where we choose a winner. So far, three youngsters have joined Iyasa from Isiphiwo Sami. They are doing very well. They are exceptionally talented,” said Dube.
The high school children are trained by veteran arts practitioners such as Cont Mhlanga, Sihlangu Dlodlo, Saimon Mambazo Phiri, Richard Ndlovu and Memory Kumbota, among many others.
“You will agree with me that these are gurus in various artistic fields and that their interaction with school children who are the hope and future of the arts industry is certainly bound to produce amazing results,” he said.
The talent search programme is a partnership between Iyasa and the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust.
Dube said they had also received tremendous support from the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture.