#HIFA2014 - Coca Cola Green
The Coca Cola Green hosts free shows and is a hub to relax in between shows and there are several food stalls to chose from.
The Coca Cola Green hosts free shows and is a hub to relax in between shows and there are several food stalls to chose from.
The Hivos Poetry cafe hosts poets each day from Zimbabwe and guest poets from other countries. This year poets preset were Tendekai Madzitatiguru Tati, Erik Lindner (Netherlands),Kgafela Magogodi (South Africa)
Fadzai Jaravaza, Afric McGlinchey (Ireland), Ashton Nyahora, Shoes Lambada, Andrew Manyika, Chirikure Chirikure, UMNCANTSHA, Mandisa Mabuthoe (Botswana), Marshal Sango, Biko 'Godobori' Mutsaurwa and House of Stone
A lot of the time I find I am asking myself, ‘Why the hell am I even trying this?’. Before I even answer that question, I find myself hard at it and when I come to my senses again, I will be back to asking myself the same question. This cycle has continued for all of my artistic life.
2013 was a quiet year for POVO with no partnerships. Our expenses for the year were $3,230 which included, T shirt production, covering HIFA, Update of the website, Production of Hardcopy Journals. The election played a role to a certain extent and a nation stood still in anticipation. Elections have passed and life goes on. Initially for the journal we had targeted 40 pages but because of overwhelming response we bumped it up to 48 pages! Unfortunately printing hard copies is still a challenge hence we are publishing online.
Ironically the theme for this years Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) was Whats Next? After the festival that is the very question that stuck in my mind. What is next with HIFA because they have certainly come to a cross roads. I have been going to HIFA since 2008 and I have been impressed by the festival, always finding an excuse to be present each year. Planned my meetings to coincide with the festival. But after all these years its becoming a bit monotonous.
The Noisettes were the highlight of our HIFA 2013 experience and they lived to their billing with many insisting they should have closed the festival. fronted by Zimbabwean Shingai Shoniwa, The UK based Noisettes left gave a performance from the top shelf. She also called other zimbabwe divas Chiwoniso Maraire, Hope Masike and Tariro NeGitare onto the stage to do a cover of Thomas Mapfumos song.
Edith We Utonga and Busi Ncube of Ilanga fame teamed up to give fans an excellent show which blew the roof off the Global Stage roof. They sang some all toime Ilanga classics like True Love which had everyone on their feet and dancing. Edith has matured since her debut at HIFA
Mbira Punk band Chikwata.263 brought their own brand of music to HIFA and rocked the Coca Cola Green, with a memorable performance. They also featured Chiwoniso Maraire and Potato.
This year HIFA introduced a new concept of fashion shows through out the festival. Different fashion and jewellery designers had their collections exhibited to festival goers throughout the festival. In 2011 something similar was held out in the open on the Global Quarter Stage as a free event. This year it was inside a tent and became a paid event.