Killer T and Volts JT to Headline Bindura Arts Fes...

Killer T and Volts JT to Headline Bindura Arts Festival on November 9th

The Bindura Arts Festival, organized by the Bindura Arts Festival Foundation, is set to take place on November 9th, featuring popular Zimbabwean artists Killer T and Volts JT as the headline performers. This much-anticipated festival is part of the ongoing project Arts and Culture in Action 2, which focuses on empowering youths and communities through arts and cultural diversity.

The initiative, funded by The Culture Fund Trust of Zimbabwe and sponsored by the European Union delegation to Zimbabwe, aims to promote young talent across the country. The festival’s theme is to uplift youths by showcasing their talents beyond sports, highlighting how the arts can be a sustainable career path.

In preparation for the Bindura event, the foundation hosted a talent show on October 19th in Mazowe District, where over 60 local artists competed for a chance to perform at the festival. Joy Sithole, performing under the stage name Joy the Poetry, emerged as the winner with her piece titled Africa, securing a $300 prize and a coveted slot to perform alongside big names like Killer T and Volts JT. The second position was claimed by the Dzematare group from Jumbo Mine.

Mazowe District has been a platform for young artists to showcase their talents, with the winner earning a recording contract in a prominent studio. These initiatives offer youths an alternative to sports, encouraging them to pursue artistic careers that can equally provide financial stability.

Speaking on the project’s impact, Umtali Saidi, a long-time sponsor of the festival, emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent: "By hosting these events, we are empowering the youth by identifying their potential. We aim to expand and hold similar festivals in every province in Zimbabwe." Chipaz Promotions, another key sponsor, played a significant role by facilitating the participation of top artist Jah Prayzah at previous events.

However, the festival faces significant challenges, especially regarding funding. Despite efforts to secure sponsorship from organizations like Econet and Nyaradzo, the festival struggles with basic logistics such as hiring PA systems. Organizers are hopeful that more sponsors will step in to support the growth of this cultural platform.

The Bindura Arts Festival promises to be an exciting and vibrant celebration of Zimbabwean culture, empowering young artists and showcasing the diversity of talent the nation has to offer.