HARARE - Members of the Chitukuto Zambia group who won this year’s edition of Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival Harare provincial competitions, said determination and sheer hard-work was the secret behind their success.
The group, who was the first runner-up at last year’s event held at Chitubu Bar in Glen Norah suburb, managed to clinch the first prize this year.
“As a group, we believe in team work, working hard and to remain committed to our work and because we have rehearsed so hard for this event, the first prize came as no surprise to us,” a group spokesman said while celebrating their award.
The competitions were held at Pfumojena Bar in Mbare on Saturday.
The group won $500 while Pasichigare and Gasani Moto were the first and second runner-up respectively.
The two groups walked away with $300 and $200 respectively.
Meanwhile, the Chibuku Neshamwari provincial competitions kicked off on May 31 with the Mashonaland West competitions.
Chitukuto Zambia is going to represent Harare province. It will clash with nine other groups from different provinces in Chibuku Neshamwari finals scheduled for August 23 in Harare Gardens.
Umkhati Theatre Works group of Bulawayo were last year’s Chibuku Neshamwari national winners.
They put up a sterling performance of a traditional Tswana dance called Setata and walked away with $4 000, while the second prize of $3000 went to Guruve Arts Marimba from Mashonaland Central .
Rarira Dendera of Mashonaland East province scooped the third prize $2 000.
Chibuku Neshamwari is a tripartite partnership between sponsors, Delta Beverages, the National Arts Council and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association.
Founded in 1963, the Chibuku Neshamwari has grown to critical acclaim, and now boasts some of the most valuable entertainment franchises on the local arts front.