Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE rhythmic pulse of marimba and the soulful melodies of mbira echoed through the grounds of the Music Consultancy Society of Zimbabwe (MCSZ) in Harare on Saturday as young learners lit up the Mahindekinde Festival.
Among those moved by the raw, youthful talent on display was William Ndinde, the provincial arts manager at the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), who praised the event for unearthing and nurturing musical gifts from junior schools.
Ndinde said music played several critical roles in human life, including imparting social, economic and political values, as well as promoting empowerment. He emphasised that Mahindekinde is highly commendable because it is more of a social gathering by schools, which seeks to share a common understanding without the spirit of competition.
Tiny Tots Junior School emerged the crowd’s favourite, impressing ahead of Amanda’s Junior School, St Martin’s Primary School and ZRP Tomlinson School. All participating learners, who showcased traditional instruments like the marimba and mbira, were honoured with medals alongside their dedicated teachers.
“Music is a key element of cultural heritage, helping communities to express their identity and traditions as an important aspect of a shared philosophy that unites such communities, breeding peace and harmony,” Ndinde said.
“Music serves as an outlet for emotions, facilitating communication and understanding in diverse groups. It cuts across gender, colour or creed, even breaking boundaries and barriers. With a propensity to appeal to all ages, music lays bare the emotional expressions of entire nations.”
He said the event, which had performances from musician Emmanuel Chakanyuka and Munyaradzi Munodawafa, was a true reflection of the importance and relevance of the arts and cultural industries as it brought to light its support for local businesses like venue hire, transport, catering, video and filming, among others, which all contribute to economic advancement and employment creation.
“Music encourages artistic expression and innovation, influencing other creative fields and industries. In our case, the fusion of our indigenous music instruments with Western ones is birthing new sounds that are taking the world by storm. Music can inspire civic participation and community involvement, fostering active citizenship,” Ndinde said.
Tavonga Assiel Chipadza, Music Consultancy Society Music Academy director, said that Mahindekinde Festival was a creative response that emerged from the successful running of the Music Consultancy Society Music Academy and was aimed at celebrating competencies gained in the teaching and training of Visual and Performing Arts as a subject in school.
“MCSZ Music Academy is an institution registered with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe to educate and capacitate students, artists and teachers in music, theatre, dance and visual arts. The Hindekinde Festival shall provide schools and colleges space to showcase their creative and performance competencies in areas such as dance, theatre, music (performances) and film and video, sculpting, painting, drawing, graphics and literary arts.
“In a nutshell, the Hindekinde Festival will persuasively remain moralistic and raise awareness on the need to stop gender-based violence, say no to drug and substance abuse, child marriages and prevention of HIV/Aids and sexually transmitted infections,” he said.
Several speakers from the participating schools, including Edwin Chikuni, promised to come back bigger and better in the next edition of the Mahindekinde Arts Festival. Chikuni, a music teacher at Tiny Tots, whose two sons performed in the school’s marimba band, oozed with enthusiasm and pledged an even bigger return in the next edition. St Martin’s Primary School drew loud applause for its marimba rendition of Buju Banton’s anti-drug anthem, Buried Alive, underscoring the event’s fusion of cultural roots with contemporary relevance.
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