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Own Correspondent
The inaugural Hurungwe Arts Festivals roars to life today in Masholand West with performances from various artists across genres expected to light up the two-day fete.

Poetry, theatre, comedy, music, exhibitions and dance acts will take turns to entertain audiences on various stages.

Douglas Chimbetu will lead the list of music performances and Uncle Ritchie will be among the comedians to perform while Nqobile Malinga would be one of the poets at the festival. Theatre group Baptism of Fire will lead theatre acts.

Chimbetu is currently doing well with his new album “Southern Letter” and he will take fans on a dendera cruise at the festival.

He has performed in Mashonaland West before and this would be a welcome return for the musician.

All eyes are likely to be on Uncle Ritchie who makes his debut performance in the province.

The man took a cue that laughter is best medicine and made his name locally with his jibes.

He has made his name hitting a 43 000 mark on social media Face-book and its still growing.

The popular Uncle Ritchie of ‘‘Unotoshaya kuti zviri kumbofamba sei’’ audio clips is a music teacher who until recently was at Dominican convent junior and high schools.

He went commercial on this year after successfully marketing his comedy within a short space of time.

Currently, he is working with over 30 companies where he does adverts on comedy or presentations.

He has been involved in raising funds for the Tokwe- Mukosi flood victims and worked with Simuka Comedy, Tourism Carnival, Art Exhibitions, Moonlight Carnival, Kuwadzana AFM Assembly comedy and Pakare Paye Comedy show among others

Uncle Richie is now Green Ambassador for Environmental Management Agency.

Although he had been invited to go to United Kingdom, he suffered a setback when his passport was stolen before he could get a visa but Hurungwe will host him without any challenges.

Hurungwe Arts Festival got part of their financial support from Culture Fund and will host local bands, theatre groups, poetry, and traditional dance from local schools and artists from Harare, Bulawayo, Chinhoyi, Masvingo and Mutare among others.

Baptism of Fire communications director Skumbuzo Sibanda says, “The festival is the first of its kind in Mashonaland West province and Hurungwe is taking the lead.

“We are inviting many people for the festival that will be for free. ’’

Nqobile Malinga said he is looking forward to the event.