Hwange Colliery Company Launches Inaugural Zim Rhumba Dance Fiesta to Showcase Local Talent
Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) is set to close 2025 by celebrating local talent through the inaugural Zim Rhumba Dance Fiesta, scheduled for Saturday at Mavela Secondary School in Tsholotsho. The event aims to identify and nurture emerging rhumba artistes while providing a platform for them to perform alongside established acts, including Mxolisi Mr Bones, Godolude & the Friendly Brothers, Dupute Warriors, Clement Magwaza, Insimbi ZeZhwane, Amathong’Amahle, Zinjaziyamluma, Mdawini & Izingonyama, and Sizwa & Kwejani Band.
The festival forms part of HCCL’s Entertainment Revival Strategy, a programme designed to strengthen arts, culture, and community engagement in Matabeleland North, where the mine operates. Speaking ahead of the event, Deliverance Nyoni, HCCL chairperson for entertainment, confirmed that preparations were progressing smoothly and that most of the performers were already en route from South Africa.
The event aligns with HCCL’s ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) approach, which prioritises reinvesting in the communities that host its operations. Nyoni explained that alongside entertainment initiatives, the company has drilled boreholes and donated mobile labs to secondary schools in Matabeleland North, reflecting its commitment to social responsibility.
Tsholotsho was chosen as the venue due to its reputation, alongside Plumtree, as a hub for Zim Rhumba. The main attraction, a dancing competition, will give young, up-and-coming artistes a chance to showcase their talent to established performers and potentially launch professional careers. Nyoni added that the event also promotes the genre and offers business opportunities for the local community. Plans are in place to rotate the festival to other towns, such as Nkayi, in the coming years.
Beyond entertainment, the fiesta will address drug and substance abuse among youth. Partnering with the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, the event carries the theme: “Healthy mind, healthy lives. Say no to drug and substance abuse!!” HCCL enforces a zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol, including workplace interventions such as breathalysers and awareness programmes.
The day’s schedule begins at 10am, with the main dancing competition taking place between 4pm and 6pm, followed by an after-party for adults. Organisers stressed that engaging children in arts and sports provides alternatives to substance abuse while opening potential career pathways in the creative industry.
The Entertainment Revival Strategy extends beyond music, with HCCL sponsoring athletics, school soccer tournaments like the Chipangano Challenge Trophy, cycling events, and the Kamandama Memorial Marathon. Recent initiatives include traditional dance competitions such as Kuzana, supporting cultural preservation, and visual arts projects. The programme reflects a comprehensive strategy to ensure that arts and culture become viable career paths for Matabeleland North youth.
Nyoni also revealed that HCCL will host a gospel music competition in Hwange on December 18, open to all artists and denominations, followed by a thanksgiving ceremony on December 19 featuring prominent gospel performers. These events will mark the company’s final celebrations of the year and serve as a way to give back to the community while acknowledging the company’s achievements in 2025.
The Zim Rhumba Dance Fiesta promises to be a landmark event, combining talent identification, cultural promotion, and community engagement, positioning Hwange Colliery Company as a key supporter of arts and social development in the region.
