Simbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
THE eighth edition of the Shangano Arts Festival roars to life in Lupane today with the Minister of Arts, Sports and Culture, Andrew Langa, expected to open the event.
The three-day arts festival, running under the theme “celebrating cultural diversity”, will bring artistes within the Matabeleland region together to celebrate the provinces’ diverse culture.

Festival lovers are going to be treated to music, poetry, arts workshops and craft displays. A workshop on arts management facilitated by the deputy director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Nicholas Moyo, will be held today.

Tshibilika music sensation Chase Skuza is billed to be the main act at a musical gala which will be held tonight. Other artistes that will perform at the festival include Lusumbami Puppetry, Obert Dube, Vulindlela, Shaba Arts from Tsholotsho, Makishi, Likhwa Ncube, Ihawu Lesizwe, Lusupuko, Kwabana, Chilimba and Binga Sounds.

Chilimba, a cultural dance group from Binga will also showcase their Tonga dances while Binga Craft Centre, Lupane Women Centre and Nambya Craft Centre will exhibit their wares during the festival which ends on Saturday.

Festival director Petros Ndlovu said the festivities would move to Hwange on Saturday as the closing ceremony will be held there. “The festival will move to Wise Waters in Hwange to give back to that community as they’ve been supporting us throughout the festival,” he said.

Ndlovu added that the festival was a major event in Matabeleland North as it gives artistes an opportunity to interact as well as showcase their talents.

“This will be the first time for the much awaited festival to go to the rural parts of Matabeleland as the festival will brighten the darkest part of Matabeleland,” he said.

As part of revamping the festival, Ndlovu said artistes with disabilities would be given a chance to showcase their talents while rural folk, including school pupils, would be taught on drama acting, dancing and script writing.

Shangano Festival which has left its mark in Victoria Falls, Tsholotsho, Hwange and Binga, is a provincial arts jamboree which was launched in Hwange in 2007.

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