Loveness Mpofu, Sunday News Reporter
ZIMBABWE Championships of Performing Arts (ZiCOPA) has sent a team of eight contestants to represent the country in the world championships held in Los Angeles, United States of America (USA).
ZiCOPA is a registered trust formed in response to the absence of world class African talent on international platforms like the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA).
It is a local body which selects contestants from the arts industry to represent the country each year. The trust is affiliated to the World Championships of Performing Arts which are held annually in Hollywood and are dubbed as the “Olympics of the Performing arts.”
The competitions are underway and are at the semi-final stage. Zimbabwe is competing against 50 countries. The championships commenced on 30 June and are coming to an end today.
Co-founder of ZiCOPA Jessica Tandi said; “Auditions were held where more than 100 contestants participated. Thirty-nine contestants qualified for the team but only eight made it to Hollywood due to lack of funds. The contestants are extremely proud; they are really making their mark here in Hollywood and carrying the Zimbabwean brand with pride and professionalism,” she said.
Zimbabwe competed for the first time last year in the world championships. The team came back home with 15 medals, with Silent Nqo winning the Grand Champion of the World-Instrumentals.
Takudzwa Mashonganyika, popularly known as ProBeatz, also won a Millenium Dance Academy scholarship for one month alongside four gold medals and three overall Divisional trophies while Timothy Hogo, a model finalist, won one Gold, one Silver and one Bronze.
The trust collaborates with government and performing arts bodies in order to create opportunities for performing artistes from all backgrounds.
These include existing local arts bodies such as the Music and Dance academies, Individual Performers, Modelling Agencies and Competitions, Primary and High schools and Drama Clubs.
The contestants range from guitarists, dancers, actors, gymnasts, vocalists, drummers, piano players and marimba players — represented by Prince Edward Marimba Band.