THE Youth Cultural Festival (Yocaf) has added a beauty pageant to the list of their activities as part of their 10th anniversary celebrations.
This comes as the arts organisation is set to host this year’s edition of the festivals under the theme Its Time between August 3 and 6 at Charles Austin Theatre in Masvingo, two years after a Covid-19 induced break.
“Being a youth organisation, we are looking for someone to lead and represent the youth and fight for their rights hence the pageantry winner will be that voice,” said the festival director Leeroy Gono.
To achieve the intended results from the pageant, Yocaf will nurture the models in a direction that will benefit the youths.
“This process will include training and various interventions. Yocaf seeks to create an environment that allows authentic talent, global opportunity and socio-economic development to collide on the African continent and this pageant will add to that commitment we wish to serve as Yocaf,” Gono said.
The forthcoming performance based festival will also encompass theatre, music, dance, poetry and stand up comedy.
“There are a lot of exciting performances lined-up with some of the top theatre shows ever produced in the land along with top local, regional and international acts expected to grace this year’s edition.
“Yocaf is a growing brand with the capacity to take Zimbabwean talents to the next level.
“The festival will facilitate the convergence of authentic young African talent with global opportunity by providing access to the global stage,” Gono said.
Meanwhile, the organisation has appointed festival directors as preparations for this year’s edition are in full swing.
“We have appointed Farai Chinyama and Simbarashe Chikukwa as our festival coordinators. Chinyama will be based in Harare and Chikukwa in Masvingo.
“They both exhibit the Yocaf DNA, having been part of the family for quite a significant period. They are a true reflection of what Yocaf is about and I could not be more proud.
“They were trained under the Walter Muparutsa Mentorship Programme and were nominated for the National Arts and Merit Awards whilst they were still in high school,” Gono said
Over the years, the festival has been dominated by top schools such as Pamushana High and Gifford High among others.
Tanyaradzwa Marabada
ENTERTAINMENT WRITER