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Ezimnyama Dance Group on stage

Peter Matika, Showbiz Reporter
BULAWAYO traditional dance ensemble – Ezimnyama Dance Group on Saturday bagged the $7 000 grand prize of the 54th edition of the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Competition finale held in the city.

Harare group Culture Warriors claimed second place taking home $5 000, while Matabeleland South’s How Mine Chihoda walked away with $3 000.

Ezimnyama claimed the first prize, shrugging off competition from 11 other groups at a competition held at White City stadium. Groups were drawn from all the country’s 10 provinces.

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) Communications and marketing manager Cathrine Mthombeni said, as partners of the competition they were pleased with proceedings and results.

“The event went on well. We were pleased with all the groups’ performances. The varied dances show that the county is rich in tradition and culture. All the groups should be applauded for promoting Zimbabwean culture,” said Mthombeni.

She added that the competition was reflective of the varied values and norms from the different provinces in Zimbabwe.

“Dances like amaBhiza and Jerusarema to mention a few just show that the country still holds its tradition and culture dearly,” she said.

Ezimnyama group leader and spokesperson, Phibion Ncube said they were over the moon about scooping the grand prize.

“The group was founded in 2009. We have taken a shot once at the Chibuku competitions but have never won anything. So we went back to the drawing board and came up with this dance. The dance is originally from Botswana but it is also found in Zimbabwe, in Matabeleland South to be precise.

“We did a couple of choreography workshops to master the dance and here we are standing at the top,” said Ncube.

He added that the group would be travelling to Egypt in November this year for a cultural dance festival.

After the traditional festivities, Winky D took over the reins and gave a polished two hour set.

The Gaffa as Winky D is known had fans eating out of his hands.

Madlela Skhobokhobo took over from Winky D to shut down the show with the hit song Ngamnanka uSaMamoe.