By Angelah Mlotshwa/Clive Dube
The first Edition of Eziko In school Talent Acceleration(EITA!/8ta) High school Competitions were launched yesterday at Nkulumane Hall,under the theme “Accelerating Creative Brilliance and Championing Behavioral Change In Schools”.
The schools that competed included Maranatha High school, Nkulumane High school, Nketa High school, Mandwandwe High & Ihlathi High School.On guest schools there was Charleston Primary from Bulawayo, Esiphikeni Secondary from Matabeleland North and all the way from Esigodini,Sacred Heart High.
The Schools competed in six art categories namely Drama,Poetry,Dance,Public Speaking,Music and Modelling.Each category had two adjudicators.The Guest of Honour at the event was the Bulawayo Deputy Provincial Director of Education,T Sibanda and Authur Maphosa who is the National Association of Schools Heads(NASH) President.
The 8ta Filmore-Science program created a platform for Bulawayo students to showcase their talent and at the same time educate the students on issues such as gender based violence (GBV), drug and substance abuse, climate change among other themes that are affecting the millennial generation.
The initiative was inspired by natural events like Covid-19 that closed down schools and crippled lives of children and youths in schools.
In an interview with Byo Arts News Online,Thando Moyo a student from Nketa High School said, “Thank you so much to the event organisers for they have given us a chance to get exposure, given the circumstances brought about by covid-19”
Then a student from Sacred Heart High School,Theresa said “Education on drug effects and awareness campaign was the 8ta programme’ s main agenda with substance abuse aired out through drama and music of gender based violence, sexual reproductive health rights through poetry at the same time giving a hand in narturing of talents.”
Byo Arts News Online also spoke to the City’s renowned artists who had attended the event.
TV presenter and actress, Lubelihle Banda who was the Director of Ceremony at the event showed her gratitude and appreciation to the talent exhibited by the participants.
“What I saw today is just out of this world ,these children are so talented. I urge all the art and media personals in Bulawayo to introduce more awareness programs and platforms like these for local artists to showcase their talents.”
The Bulawayo renowned and outspoken musician, Novuyo Seagirl who was also an Adjudicator at the event, pointed out that the student are talented and Bulawayo’s arts industry has a brighter future.
“There is room for improvement, with narturing and grooming the kids can make it far.The talent is too much and I am happy to be part of this great initiative with which I was really moved and actually even felt threatened at some point.” said Novuyo.
Below is a list of local artists who have made it in the industry who sponsored Awards for the initiative:
POETRY
Outstanding school – Sithandazile Dube Award
Outstanding Individuals male and Female – Ntuthuko OkaMabulala Nyathi Award.
MUSIC
Outstanding School Music Award – Vusa Mkhaya award
Outstanding Individuals male and Female – LaDee Award Award.
DANCE
Outstanding School DANCE Award – Futurelove Sibanda award
Outstanding Individuals male and Female – Larry Mhlanga Award Award.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Outstanding School P/S Award – Njabulo Moyo award
Outstanding Individuals male and Female – Kucaca Ivumile Phulu Award .
*MODELLING*
KING EITA & PRINCE 2022 AWARD
QUEEN & PRINCESS EITA 2022 AWARD
Nonchalant Ngwenya Award
DRAMA
Outstanding School DRAMA Award – Mothusi Ndlovu award
Outstanding Individuals Actor and Actress – Pedzisayi Sithole Award.
BYO ARTS NEWS ONLINE