The search begins ... Zindala Zombili African Music & Dance Festival

The Gauteng leg of the Zindala Zombili African Music and Dance Festival was launched in Johannesburg today by the African Cultural Heritage Trust, Zindala Zombili Promotions, the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation and iStart2.

The festival consists of ten district competitions for all styles of traditional music and dance groups living in Gauteng. The winning groups from each district event will qualify to compete in the provincial festival and stand a chance to win prizes valued at over R200,000.00. There are cash prizes of R90,000.00 and R120,000.00 worth of marketing material for the groups to promote themselves and generate an income, including a DVD recording of their performance, photo's and a marketing pack.

Festival director, Qhuzulini Sithole said that, "It is important for our traditional music and dance groups to have the tools they need to promote themselves and generate an income from their cultural expression. In that way we are able to continue celebrating our culture, educating people about their roots and ensuring that our valued Living Heritage and Indigenous Knowledge Systems are preserved for future generations." 

The Zindala Zombili provincial festival will take place on 21 and 22 September in partnership with the Soweto Festival being held at NASREC from 20 to 24 September. The event will celebrate African culture and heritage through traditional music and dance, poetry, story-telling, food and attire. It will include performances from the winning groups as well as guest groups from SADC and BRICS countries.

Mr. Sithole went on to say that, "We learn from each others cultures and get a deeper understanding of who we are as people, no matter what language we speak or the color of our skin."

The provincial festival will also include a strong educational component with skills development programmes for group and community leaders, and public workshops in various styles of traditional music and dance.

District competitions calendar

DATE DISTRICT VENUE

21 July Johannesburg Mzimhlope Hostel, Soweto

27 July Emfuleni Mphatlalatsane Theatre, Sebokeng

28 July Midvaal Bantobonke Community Hall

4 Aug Tshwane Pretoria City Hall

11 Aug Ekhuruleni Katlehong Arts Centre

18 Aug West Rand Krugersdorp City Hall

25 Aug Tshwane Nkangala Community Hall

1 Sept Ekhuruleni Moses Molelekwa Art Centre

8 Sept Westrand Westonaria Sports Complex

15 Sept Johannesburg Drill Hall, Johannesburg

For more information contact Bontle Maqubela: zindala@iafrica.com or 082 845 9986.

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