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Raymond Jaravaza, Showbiz Correspondent
VICTORIA Falls-based Simunye Arts booked a ticket to battle it out at the national finals of the Ingwebu Cultural Dance Festivity competition after emerging victors in the Matabeleland North Province.

The provincial finals which were held at Lupane Beer Garden last Saturday saw five groups, from different parts of Matabeleland North, vying for the sole ticket to represent the province at the national finals to be held on September 15 at White City Stadium.

On top of winning the right to represent the province during the first edition of the Ingwebu Cultural Dance Festivity Simunye Arts also walked away with $300.

Group director, Misheck Muponda, said winning the Matabeleland North provincial finals was a step in the right direction in taking the group to greater heights.

“We are a group made up of young dancers so that helps us to come up with vibrant and energetic performances and I’m happy that the guys worked hard to beat the other groups to take us to the next level of the competition,” said Muponda.

Simunye Arts, originally from Harare before relocating to Victoria Falls, was formed in 2003.

“We have been in the industry for 15 years, we toured China for six months in 2016 and also represented Zimbabwe in a traditional dance competition in Angola last year.
The decision to relocate to Victoria Falls in 2007 has really helped us as group because we get a lot of work in the resort town so our members are able to take care of their families.

“The group of dancers are young and hungry for success and that helps when competing against other groups with much older members,” he said.

The competition that is bankrolled by Ingwebu Breweries is not only designed to bring excitement and thrills, but also respect for local culture and heritage.

The first competition was held in Matabeleland South on 21 July at Ezimnyama Beer Garden in Gwanda while the Bulawayo Province finals were held at Manor Hotel a fortnight ago.

The next stop is Midlands on September 8 at Mandava Beer Garden in Zvishavane.—@RaymondJaravaza