THE 2018 edition of the Harare International Carnival will no longer be taking place owing to various reasons chief among them resources and the weather conditions in the country, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has said.
Harare International Carnival which is a celebration of the diversity of culture has become one of the most sought-after entertainment programs in Zimbabwe owing to the quality of acts that normally include fans favourite the Samba Queens of Brazil.
This year’s edition which had been promised to be better than the previous editions had been initially slated for July but was rescheduled a number of times due to competing events and the cholera outbreak.
In a statement, ZTA head of corporate affairs Godfrey Koti said after wide consultations, the authority has come to the conclusion that the carnival should be deferred to save its image and status.
“The much anticipated annual national event which was pencilled for December 2018 will not be held this year and this decision was not arrived at lightly. The year 2018 was punctuated by numerous competing events that led to the postponement of the event from its original October timing and we had hoped to hold the carnival before year end.
“The competing events at this time of the year, careful consideration of the weather conditions that are usually characterised by rainfall and the current prevailing economic climate contributed to getting to this decision. We want to make sure that the event is everything it should be and without adequate resources and conducive environment, it would be a disservice to the Harare International Carnival brand and the general populace,” he said.
ZTA said they are aware that Carnival has become an event to look forward to on the country’s entertainment calendar and are therefore to be making the decision.
“We understand that everyone was super excited about the event and we are aware that the carnival has become a major part of the entertainment calendar.
“Therefore we would like to apologise for any inconveniences caused as this was an eagerly anticipated annual event which celebrated the beauty of the Zimbabwean cultural diversity and celebration of our hopes and aspirations in the second republic,” said the statement from ZTA.
