BULWAYO - Information and Publicity minister Webster Shamu is expected to officially unveil a new kid on the block in the arts sector at a ceremony slated for Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel today.

The new kid, Masiyephambili Cultural Festival, is the brainchild of the Zimbabwe Musicians Association (Zimma).

Speaking to the Daily News, Zimma secretary general Mish Nyakudarika described the inaugural event as a one giant step towards developing the arts industry in the country.

“To begin with, we have decided to invite the honourable minister Shamu to be the guest of honour at the ceremony in his capacity as musicians’ patron,” he said.

“The festival is actually a partnership with the City Council where as a city that has variety of talents, it will enhance the image of the city as a hub of diverse cultural at the same time while we endeavour to reclaim our lost glory,” Nyakudarika said.

The theme of this inaugural festival is “Phambili, Pamberi, Forward.”

 Nyakudarika said various local musical groups are billed to perform at the event where a number of stakeholders have been invited to witness the potentially stimulating inauguration ceremony.

“We have actually invited people from various sectors, including the artists, city fathers, politicians and some business societies who actually made this event possible.

Bulawayo metropolitan governor Ambassador Cain Mathema, an artist himself, is the patron of this festival.
So this is how he has chosen to further his undying love for the arts,” he said.

About how the festival is going to run, the Zimma secretary general said the festive is virtually a different one “as we will have it run for two months.”

“Under it, we have such events as the jazz music series, the Hosanna gospel praise series, the schools Marimba and a cultural fair among others. These events have been spread across the two months.”

He said the launch of the festival will also afford Zimma an opportunity to celebrate it’s history in the music representation industry, adding that the event will be held annually.

At tomorrow’s launch the rejuvenated Submarine Band, The Talls, Rainbow Blaze, The Outfit and the Cool Crooners are billed to entertain the guests.

The event is scheduled to kick off at 6pm up until late.