Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
THE Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development once again emerged as the dominant force at the Inter-Ministerial Sports and Arts Festival, which concluded in Gwanda on Thursday.
The week-long festival, which began on Monday, brought together 26 ministries and 15 Government departments competing at various venues across the mining town.
Held under the theme, “Healthy nation, productive workforce,” the annual event highlighted the importance of physical fitness, mental wellbeing and strong working relationships within the public service.
The Agriculture Ministry, formerly known as the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, were the defending champions after winning the 2025 edition with seven gold medals and three silver medals for a total haul of 10 medals.
Last year, the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs finished second with three gold medals, one silver and one bronze, while the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage came third with two gold medals, one silver and one bronze.
This year, however, Agriculture raised the bar even higher, finishing top of the standings with an impressive haul of nine gold, 11 silver and three bronze medals, taking their total to 23 medals and more than doubling last year’s tally.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care claimed second place with six gold, one silver and two bronze medals, while the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education secured third position after collecting four gold, four silver and three bronze medals.
The Ministry of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services finished fourth with four gold and seven bronze medals.
Matabeleland South Provincial Deputy Director in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Mr Promise Dube, said the province was proud to have successfully hosted the national event.
“The Inter-Ministerial Sport and Arts Festival in Gwanda was a remarkable demonstration of the power of sport, arts and culture to unite communities and promote wellness,” he said.
“As Matabeleland South, we take great pride in hosting this important national event and showcasing our province’s hospitality, talent and organisational capacity.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to all athletes, artistes, officials, stakeholders and partners whose contributions made the festival a success. This is our provincial pride: Matabeleland South, the Rainbow Province, continues to shine through sport, recreation, arts and culture. Mat South Gwanda ‘kawukho mncane’,” he said.
The festival featured participants from a wide range of Government ministries, including Agriculture, Defence, Energy and Power Development, Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Health and Child Care, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Industry and Commerce, and Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services.
Other ministries represented were Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Lands and Rural Development, Local Government and Public Works, Mines and Mining Development, National Housing and Social Amenities, Primary and Secondary Education, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Skills Audit and Development, Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Transport and Infrastructural Development, Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, and Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.
Government departments that took part included the Office of the President and Cabinet, Public Service Commission, Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Zimbabwe Gender Commission, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, Zimbabwe Land Commission, Health Service Commission, Zimbabwe Statistics Agency, Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, National Prosecuting Authority, Attorney-General’s Office, Chiltern Trust, Matabeleland South Province and the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse.
Beyond the medals and trophies, the festival once again demonstrated the role of sport and the arts in fostering teamwork, wellness and unity across Government institutions, while providing a platform for public servants from across the country to interact, compete and build lasting professional relationships.
