shloboe boe
Mbulelo Mpofu, mbulelo.smpofu@gmail.com
SPOKEN word and music aficionados braved the chilly weather for the rescheduled Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo on Friday where they enjoyed the “Women, Wine & Words” (WWW) at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) in Bulawayo.
The WWW was the penultimate event of the festival and the height of the festivities. This event put poetry and music on a collision course.
This annual staple saw poetesses, Chioniso, Sonkomose, and Sithandazile “Um’Africakazi” Dube being joined by musicians, guitarist, Zarae, Vuyo Brown, and OBabes beMbube, Nobuntu to entertain the sizeable crowd on hand.
From the onset, the women understood the assignment and brought their A-game on.
Chioniso mesmerised the crowd with her multi-lingual approach to poetry. Armed with Swahili, ChiShona, French, and the English language, she understood the assignment; of entertaining and bereft of any vocal mistakes, she took the audience on a rollercoaster ride.
Reciting poems was not enough for her. She also sang her rendition of Rihanna’s hit song, Needed Me.
Next up was another poetess, a praise poetry specialist, Sonkomose. She brought a different vibe to the mix, performing with husband, guitarist, and singer, Maluka to bring an artistic family affair.
Musicians were not to be outdone though. Zarae introduced the audience to her, “story time” delivering well-crafted ballads and interacting with the crowd well. Her four-piece set resonated well with the audience, prompting the crowd to sing along.
Another crowd favourite was Um’Africakazi whose maternal and oral tradition approach was a hit. Her poetry rooted in the native IsiNdebele was in sync with her tribal outfit made from cowhide.
Globetrotters, Nobuntu spotted Chuck Taylor All-Star shoes, and stomped away on stage, enchanting their way into the hearts of the masses.
For 13 years, OBabes Bembube have been taking the Imbube genre to the world, and in paying homage to Black Umfolosi, they performed, Homeless, much to the delight of the crowd.
Last but not least was Vuyo Brown and she too delivered a polished performance, justifying her inclusion into the line-up.
An autopsy into the rescheduled Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo shows that rescheduling did not take away the flair that the annual possesses. Below is an analysis of the rescheduled Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo:
Hits
This year’s edition introduced a new baby to the fray, the Bulawayo Lens Festival which gave it a new twist and shone the spotlight on a facet that usually does not get the recognition it deserves; photography.
The “Women in Arts” Indaba at Sethule Lodge saw the discussion of critical issues faced by women in arts.
It levelled the playing field and gave women a voice and power to advocate for issues that affect them.
Taking the festival to the people was an act of pure genius since Intwasa is all about interacting with the people. People need to enjoy art and culture at an affordable price and Intwasa made it possible with most of the shows being free of charge, a plus for the art community.
Misses
Starting late and sound-checks being done when the audience was already gathered left a bad taste in the mouths of some spectators. It showed a state of unpreparedness which is a facet that needs improving.
This was the case at the WWW with the show ending late.
With November shining the spotlight on men’s mental health, one would think that the organisers would incorporate a male-themed, Movember gig to balance the gender.
Irrespective of whatever forced the organisers of the Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo to push it to November from its usual September slot, it did not slow down the city’s oldest arts festival. –@MbuleloMpofu
