Amavithikazi thrill SA fans

Herald Entertainment Reporter

Amavithikazi, fresh from graduating from being a dance troupe to a live musical outfit, recently caused a stir at a multi-disciplinary arts festival held in Mpumalanga Province in South Africa with their rich cultural performances.

The 11-member outfit was one of the exceptional performers in the cultural segment of the event together with Cultural Spears from Botswana.

Victor Kunonga also took part in the third annual festival known as the "Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality Business and Cultural Show."

Amavithikazi was the darling of the around to 40 000 people who turned out to watch the fiesta that started on March 30 and ended on April 4 at the giant Kameelivier Stadium in Siyabuswa.

Some of South Africa’s finest musicians like Ringo Madhlingozi, Winnie Khumalo, Benjamin Dube, DJ Cleo, DJ Tira, Big Nuz and Chomee also gave a good account of themselves although it was the Zimbabwean ensemble Amavithikazi that left lasting impressions with their rich cultural music, dance and theatre performances.

According to Zanele Nkomazana, the leader of the outfit, the festival presented them with an opportunity to market Zimbabwean art, culture and tourism outside the country’s borders.

"The experience that we got from rubbing shoulders with some of the finest artistes from the region at the festival was great and better than anything else we have experienced before.

"We not only interacted with all those big names, but also used the event as a way of marketing our Zimbabwean art, culture and tourism.

"We never wasted time to heat up on stage because of our previous experiences at our national galas where we learnt how to keep the crowd on its feet," said Zanele.

The outfit also had the opportunity of being broadcast live on Inkwenkwezi FM Radio of South Africa, apart from courting excellent feedback from other community radio stations in the country.

The festival included a cultural and business expo apart from games for people of all age groups.