MURIEL MINE BEN ARINOTI ARE THE WINNERS OF CHIBUKU NESHAMWARI TRADITIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL
By Faranando Thomas
Traditional dance enthusiasts gathered on Saturday afternoon in Chegutu as lovers for the country’s most elite dance competition; the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival where Ben Arinoti of Muriel Mine was crowded 2023 Mashonaland West champions.
Mashonaland West’s 9 traditional dance groups wrestled for the sole ticket to represent the province in the national finals scheduled for Harare Gardens on 29 July this year.
The Muriel Mine-based dance group last year was not amongs the top three but they did not give up, and this year they finally stepped the right foot as they were crowned the provincial winners.
Seasoned performers Chabvondoka Gure group from Kadoma came second while Dzemucheka Mbira Group from Mhondoro took third position.
Zimbabwe National Arts Council director, Nicholas Moyo (pictured with cap), hailed the the groups for participating in this year’s Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival.
He also thanked Delta Beverages through their Chibuku brand, for the partnership which has seen Neshamwari Traditional Dance celebrating 60 years this year.
“The performance was well polished for all groups. I now call upon the whole province to support their provincial representative so that they come up with polished work come 29 July, Harare Gardens.
In an interview with this publication, Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association (ZNTDA) president, Kennedy Kachuruka, took the opportunity to thank Chegutu community for coming in their numbers, the groups, Zimbabwe National Arts Council and Delta Beverages.
