Published by the government of Zimbabwe
18 November 2002
Harare — DANCE is not only about people moving rhythmically to music, it is a performing art that reflects our way of life, the mood of our times and the dynamism of our culture, says the Minister of Education, Sport and Culture, Cde Aenias Chigwedere.
Speaking at the Jikinya Dance Festival held in Harare at Belvedere Teachers College over the weekend, Cde Chigwedere said dance is a reservoir of Zimbabwe's culture and serves the same purpose as that of libraries.
"The different dance styles of each community depict the history, lifestyle and rituals of such communities and could play an important part in community development.
"Dance can also be used with equal success as a tool for the bridging of cultural differences and to promote inter-cultural and inter-racial harmony and peace as evidenced by the racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious composition of participants," Cde Chigwedere said.
He said the creative industry is now the backbone of the economy adding that it is among the few industries that have managed to perform well this year given the economic challenges the country is facing.
"It is a fact that our music industry has grown by leaps and bounds and has become a major player in the Sadc region.
"The visual arts especially the world renowned stone sculptors continue to hold their own in a highly competitive global market and this can be said of our writers who continue to win awards outside our borders," he said.
"We need to form focused partnerships with the corporate sector in order to effectively develop the cultural industry which in turn generates employment and wealth for our people," he said.
Delta Corporation chairman, Dr Robbie Mupawose, said the dance festival project's driving force is to rebuild a sense of national pride and a sense of self worth in children.
"Together with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Delta has built a strong partnership to spearhead a rebirth of a sense of national pride in our children," he said.
Jikinya Dance Festival was started this year by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and sponsored by Delta Corporation.
Initially Delta had committed $5 million to Jikinya but the amount was revised upwards to cater for inflation and other costs to over $20 million to fund the cultural industry.
The competition started at district level and proceeded to the provincial level and the finals where ten schools participated.
Chembira Primary School in Harare scooped the first prize of $75 000 plus a shield, Mushongahande Primary from Mashonaland Central won the second prize of $50 000 and Emhlangeni Primary School from Bulawayo snatched the third prize of $35 000 and a shield.
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