Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal main attraction at HIFA 2013

 Locally, artistes will be refining their acts, and the general public will be beating a path to the Wendy House in Natal Road to renew their HIFA Amigo subscriptions and to discover the latest details about this year’s festival, which runs from April 30 to May 5.
Manuel Bagorro, who founded HIFA in 1999, has relinquished his role as artistic director to Gavin Peter, a popular and well-known Zimbabwean thespian and teacher, who until recently was involved in training young people for future leadership roles at an academy in Johannesburg. Gavin will now work closely with fireball Maria Wilson, who has been executive director of HIFA for the 13th consecutive year.
Peter and Wilson gave a spirited presentation last week to members of the Advertising and Publicity Club, at the Rotary Centre, whetting appetites for what promises to be a particularly thrilling feast of music, theatre, fine art, dance and spoken word. In spite of countrywide economic hardship, stalwarts in the business community continue to support HIFA with financial backing. “Stable and secure companies,”   said Wilson, “do not pull back on marketing and advertising when things are bad.”
Gavin Peter explained that this year’s theme, ‘What’s next….’ is a statement rather than a question. As Zimbabweans waiting in hope for a positive future, HIFA’s logo, a bright orange rising sun set against a brilliant blue sky, with arrows pointing in every direction, encourages us all to make good decisions.
Gavin is particularly excited about the Craft section this year and promises there will be ‘no more mother and child stone sculptures’. The keynote is               originality and there will be workstations and a kiln where the public can experiment with pottery making. Focusing on sustainability and design, plastic will be transformed into garments and tablecloths into dresses; Zimbabwean designers will exhibit their carbon  free winter collections at a fashion show.
Theatre lovers will be treated to some powerful pieces from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and a musical by Shimmer Chinodya entitled ‘Love Story’ will delight his many fans. Don’t miss ‘The Song of the Carnivores’ an extravaganza performed by 500 children from 10 schools, that premiered last year in Bulawayo.
The Noisettes, a scintillating Indie rock band from London, return to HIFA after performing in festivals in Glastonbury, Coachella, and Mangochi (Malawi). Singer Shingai Shoniwa who was born to Zimbabwean parents in London, performs with guitarist Dan Smith. Followers of The Magnets, an entertaining six man a capella group who make all their music with their own voices, will be delighted to see them again at HIFA this year.
Dendera musician Sulumani Chimbetu will prove a huge attraction, as will superstar Baaba Maal from Senegal, with his unique mbalax rhythms created from the traditional music of the Wolof with Cuban, Congolese and American influences.
These events represent only the tip of the iceberg, and the public should keep track of the HIFA website on www.hifa.co.zw to read the full programme.