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Participants at a previous edition of the Jikinya Dance Festival

GOBA Primary School from Masvingo province emerged victorious at the Jikinya Dance Festival competition national finals held in Bulawayo last Friday.

The festival that seeks to preserve Zimbabwean traditional dances by encouraging children to appreciate and perform them saw Goba beating nine other contenders Mabhukudwana (Bulawayo), ZRP Support (Harare), Gaza (Manicaland), Chipindura (Mashonaland Central), St Josephs (Mashonaland East), Manyame (Mashonaland West), Lwendulu, (Matabeleland North), Mbimba 1 (Matabeleland South), and Chiedza (Midlands). The competition was held under the theme ‘Building Zimbabwe through dance’ at the Amphitheatre.

The Masvingo province representatives put up a splendid performance in both Muchongoyo – the common dance, and their own choice dance Mbakumba to outclass other provinces. For coming first, they took home $1 500, three Mbiras, a floating trophy, and gold medals for the performers and coaches.

An ecstatic Masvingo provincial education director Zedias Chitiga said he was very impressed by the performance which was “very representative of the province”.

“I’m very impressed by their performance. I’m proud of our team, they did very well. It was not easy given the competitive nature of the competition.

“I think their performance was very representative of our province and I’m sure the whole province is proud of them as I am,” said Chitiga.

Matabeleland South representatives Mbimba 1 primary school, whose choice dance was Amantshomane, came second, only four points behind winners and for their effort, they took to Plumtree $1 300, three Mbiras, and medals for the performers and the coaches.

Chiedza from the Midlands province and Gaza from Manicaland came third and fourth, taking home $ 1 000 and $750 respectively.

Chipindura and Lwendulu came fifth and sixth respectively, while Mabhukudwana and ZRP Support were tied on seventh position.

Individual awards were presented to Allexandra Jaure of St Josephs who was nominated the best boy dancer, while Ashley Tinaro of Gaza Primary School emerged the best girl dancer. For their outstanding dancing prowess, both Jaure and Tinaro grabbed $30 each.

The special prizes from Amugugu Heritage founder Phathisa Nyathi went to Mabhukudwana and Chipindura, and they both went away $50 richer.

Professor Hope Sadza’s most outstanding common dance $500 award went to the overall winners of the competition, Goba primary school.— pachikoro.