by Lovemore Meya
Jazz musician Maria Vera-Chisvo will represent Zimbabwe at the fifth edition of the Maun International Arts Festival to be held on October 28 in Maun Botswana.
The festival, which is in its fifth edition, will run for a week with more than 50 performers from different countries expected to grace the event. Two venues have been selected for the event including Cresta Riley Hotel and Life Centre. It will see acts from poetry, music, theatre, comedy, literature and the visual arts taking turns on stage.
In an interview, Vera could not hide her joy. “I was invited by the event organisers after they were thrilled with my performance at this year’s Harare International Festival of the Arts.
“I will be travelling to Botswana with my four-member band on October 27 and I am going to be performing the following day and on 31 at the chosen venues.
“My anticipation is as good as everyone since I am expecting to learn a lot at the festival.
“I am also going to be involved in cultural exchange by visiting villages in Botswana and sharing our traditional songs through my performance.
“We will be talking to the Botswana people’s way of life in comparison to ours,” she said.
Vera said they are also going to be visiting schools and communities for charity work.
“It is going to be a good opportunity for networking and I am very happy, it is a wonderful and inspiring to be part of the event.
“This to me means that I am doing right in my career in this industry with international people appreciating my act,” she said.
The 22-year-old musician who hails from Mabelregin, Harare is a marketing management graduate who ventured into music at the age of seven.
She attended Dominican Convent for both her primary and secondary education and was inspired by American star Joss Stone, Lykke Li and Noisettes from the United Kingdom.
Vera has performed at HIFA and showcased her dexterity in America at Madison Square Garden, while locally she has shared the stage with celebrated star Oliver Mtukudzi.
