MACfest rebrands

Lovemore Zigara

THE Midlands Arts and Cultural Festival (MACfest) has rebranded to Macfest Zimbabwe in a move aimed at giving the festival a national appeal.Modelled along the same lines as the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa) and Intwasa which are held annually in Harare and Bulawayo respectively, the festival seeks to showcase perfomance and visual arts in the province.

MACfest has slowly established itself as the premier entertainment event in Gweru and will this year run for six days from 16 to September to 21 September, departing from the traditional three days, a sign that the event has grown in leaps and bounds in the six years it has been in existence.

This year’s event will see over 100 artistes and groups taking part and among seasoned artistes billed to at this year’s fiesta will include jazz crooner, Bob Nyabinde, urban grooves outfit, Mafriq, Man Soul Jah, Ronnnie Mudhindo, Jeys Marabini among others. The six day carnival will kick off with a cultural tour to Nalatale and Dlodlo Ruins which will be preceded by various cultural activities including performances by the different artistes who will grace the event.

Macfest director who is also the founder of the festival, Joe Wailer said the festival has the potential to be the biggest arts and culture festival in the country if the corporate world comes on board. “The idea behind Macfest is to create a platform where people meet art and culture, where people celebrate their heritage as well as celebrate creativity. Midlands is the cultural melting pot of the country as the province boast of different ethnic groups who have various cultural background.

“As such the festival has the potential of becoming the biggest festival in the country only is we get support from the corporate world, which will give us capacity to bring into the country other international artistes so that our artistes can exchange notes with their counterparts,” he said.

This year’s edition is expected to be officially opened by Culture Fund Executive Director, Farai Mpfunya while National Arts Council of Zimbabwe chairman, Elvas Mari will be among the dignitaries who will attend this year’s event.