Zimbabwe riots worry Nasfest
By Getrude Mkandawire:
Light of Youth Creative Organisation (Lyco), who are the organisers of National Schools Youth Arts Festival (Nasfest) set to be held early next month in Lilongwe, have bemoaned the riots in Zimbabwe which could affect the attendance of participants from there.
Lyco announced recently that Nasfest would, starting this year, be going international and that it would have participants from Zimbabwe and Zambia.
This year will also see Nasfest celebrating 10 years since its inception.
“We are set and ready for this year’s festival but we are just praying that the riots in Zimbabwe should not affect the attendance of participants from there. As we indicated, we are expecting youths from Zambia and Zimbabwe,” Lyco Executive Director, James Kitchen, said.
Zimbabwe has been hit by protests triggered by a steep rise in fuel prices.
The protests pose a challenge to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who promised to repair the struggling economy after he replaced longtime leader Robert Mugabe following a coup and his subsequently resignation in November 2017.
Nasfest will officially open on February 1 at Madsoc Theatre in Lilongwe where there will be performances, film screenings and training before the climax on February 2 and 3 at Bingu International Convention Centre, where there will also be awards.
Kitchen said they are expecting to have close to 32 participants from Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The festival is set to reach out to youths and students from across the country and outside the borders.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
