Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa-Senior Reporter
MBIZO Stadium in Kwekwe, Midlands Province, was transformed into a vibrant culinary showcase as the rich aroma of sumptuous meals and sizzling traditional delicacies filled the air at national finals of Amai’s Traditional Cookout competition.
Zimbabwe’s finest cooks battled for honours at the 2026 national finals of Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition, an oversubscribed event that filled the venue to capacity and saw thousands of people from across all provinces, with crowds spilling beyond the stadium’s capacity.
The lively event, marked by pomp and celebration and coinciding with Africa Day commemorations, attracted multitudes of participants and guests, including churches, students, community members, tourism enthusiasts, traditional leaders, Government Ministers and other stakeholders.
The First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, introduced Amai’s Traditional Cookout competition in 2019 with the involvement of chiefs’ wives, with the aim of promoting the diversity of Zimbabwe’s traditional foods, which are considered highly nutritious and medicinal.
Since then, the programme has been implemented under the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
Contestants at Amai’s Traditional Cookout National Competition showcase a variety of traditional cuisines in Kwekwe.
What began as a women-centred initiative has since been expanded to include churches, students, professional chefs, persons with disabilities and inmates, among others.
Contestants competed in several categories, namely community members, churches, students, professional chefs, and youth. Persons with disabilities had two categories: community members and the church.
To commence proceedings, Dr Mnangagwa, named Queen of Gastronomy for Africa by the United Nations Tourism, together with her delegation, toured several exhibition stands mounted by participants drawn from all 10 provinces of the country, where they were impressed by mouth-watering dishes.
Participants showcased a wide variety of traditional dishes unique to their regions, including signature hairifidzi, manyanya, hwiza, pumpkin and sweet potato burgers, majuru, mapfunde popcorn, shomwe, makere, marula maheu, thorny cucumber juice, umxhaxha, juice ye-sindambe, mabumbe, ishwa, harurwa, isingwa somfahla and nyemba balls.
One participant in the persons with disabilities category impressed delegates with a detailed map illustrating grains grown across Zimbabwe’s provinces, while another showcased her artistic mastery by displaying traditional cuisines on wooden carvings modelled after two iconic Zimbabwean birds.
The First Lady also had a large kitchen stall where she prepared traditional dishes including sadza rezviyo, rice with peanut butter and the signature haifiridzi dish, drawing attention from guests.
At Amai’s kitchen, visitors sampled a variety of local delicacies including harurwa, madora, biltong, matemba, masawu, nhunguru, nyii, wild fruit juices and tsubvu. Guests were also given an opportunity to taste the food on display.
The cookout competition has grown from a national initiative into a regional event that has since gained international recognition.
A colourful display of Zimbabwean traditional cuisines highlights the Amai Cookout National Competition in Kwekwe.
A notable highlight of the event was a performance by elegantly clad South Korean nationals, dressed in Zimbabwe’s national fabric like the majority of the guests, who rendered the popular Zimbabwean song “Iva Gamba”.
In line with the principle of leaving no one behind, the event was also interpreted in sign language to accommodate people with hearing impairments.
Addressing the oversubscribed event, the First Lady said the Africa Day celebrations marked a special moment in promoting Zimbabwe’s gastronomy tourism, showcasing authentic local cuisine while advancing unity, cultural pride and socio-economic development, reflecting Africa’s shared aspirations for liberation, unity and progress.
Dr Mnangagwa said Government policies under President Dr Mnangagwa are creating an enabling environment for improved livelihoods by 2030 through a heritage-based development philosophy, with gastronomy tourism serving as a key pillar for community development and a strategic driver of Zimbabwe’s global identity.
“Gastronomy tourism remains a key pillar for community empowerment and accelerates the pace towards an upper middle-income society by 2030,” she said.
“It stands out as a strategic enabler of heritage, seamlessly linking enterprise, culture, enhanced livelihoods as well as elevating Zimbabwe’s unique identity on the global stage.”
Dr Mnangagwa, who also shared the health benefits of indigenous foods saying they help protect communities from non-communicable diseases said the local gastronomy initiatives she is championing have gone beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
“It is no longer an option to serve traditional dishes in our restaurants during local events or gatherings but a necessity. Zimbabwean food has also penetrated regional and global markets.”
Dr Mnangagwa expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming response the programme continues to receive nationwide, as shown by high participation across all age groups, including students, persons with disabilities, inmates, churches and the general public.
“This is in the spirit of leaving no one and no place behind, with a primary objective of encouraging the people of Zimbabwe to embrace traditional foods, our legacy which we should pass on to our children and future generations,” she said.
Traditional cuisines displayed on wooden carvings modelled in the shape of the map of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Birds captivated attendees during the Amai Traditional Cookout National Competition.
Dr Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe’s tourism sector continues to grow, supported by major international recognition and strong performance indicators, including an 11 percent rise in international arrivals, a 35 percent increase iny domestic trips, and a 438 percent surge in tourism-related investments between the first quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.
The First Lady also said Zimbabwe continues to receive global recognition as a leading tourism destination, with several top international publications, including Forbes Magazine, Pacific Area Travel Writers Association and Condé Nast Traveller, naming it among the best places to visit in the world, while its successful hosting of major UN Tourism events in Victoria Falls further reinforced its global visibility.
Dr Mnangagwa said the country’s tourism sector is on a strong upward trajectory, adding that the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, was named Best Overall Performing Cabinet Minister of the Year 2025 and also received the Best African Tourism Minister of the Year award at ITB Berlin in Germany, further elevating Zimbabwe’s tourism profile.
The First Lady also engaged the community in an interactive discussion on the qualities they value in a prospective daughter-in-law.
Among the responses that had the crowd laughing were: “As an aunt, I want a daughter-in-law who can cook for us. We, ama Sibanda, we talk too much, we destroy through our mouth, so if my in-law can always be feeding me, I will not get a chance to speak as my mouth will always be full.”
A young woman also surprised the crowd with her response: “I haven’t come here specifically to say what kind of daughter-in-law I want, but I’ll just say if there’s anyone who wants a good daughter-in-law, I’m right here.”
Other responses included: “I don’t want a situation where, when I come from rural areas, I find my daughter-in-law always on her phone without talking to me. I don’t like people who don’t talk to me. I want someone who can cook even if she is dirty as long as my stomach is full. I want someone who can cook traditional food for me.”
Contestants with their traditional food waiting for final judgment at the Amai Traditional Cookout National Competition in Kwekwe.
Some of the other responses were: “I want a daughter-in-law with good manners, who knows how to dress well, who bathes properly, and I want a God-fearing one.”
Among this year’s winners, Mrs Edith Takasimba from Harare emerged as overall winner in the community category, while Sibani Mukoyi from the United Methodist Church won in the churches category. Enia Choto from Johanne Masowe eChishanu claimed first prize in the youth category.
Tinotenda Mushaninga from Chinhoyi University of Technology came first in the students category, while Naume Chisango from Elephant Hills Hotel won in the professional chefs category.
Anesu Munangarwa from Christ Embassy Church topped the persons with disabilities (church category), while Esina Hlabate from Manicaland was crowned winner in the persons with disabilities (community category).
The winners walked away with cash prizes, four-plate gas stoves, gas cylinders and hampers. Knowledge Chirenje from Midlands Province, who won first prize in 2025 while serving a prison sentence, said Amai’s Traditional Cookout competition had transformed his life.
“I came from being a prisoner to becoming an employer. Today I am involved in poultry projects, including chickens, turkeys and roadrunners. I am now also working in partnership through cooking traditional foods. I am now aiming to expand into goat and sheep farming.
“I would like to thank our First Lady for initiating this initiative. May God bless you, because the Bible says, ‘Remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison,’” he said.
He also said the programme should continue being championed in prisons as it motivates inmates to know that when they are released, they can live meaningful and productive lives.
Winners of this year’s competition expressed joy and gratitude, paying tribute to Dr Mnangagwa for her inclusive approach.
The overall winner in the community category, Mrs Takasimba, said the programme has lifted her from the dust.
“The competitions have empowered us mentally and opened our eyes to the value of the things we often overlook natural foods we grow and see around us every day. These are the very things that build our health, improve our lives and create opportunities for us.
“Our First Lady has awakened something powerful in us. From today, I am determined to start my own business. I also want to share this knowledge with other women, to inspire and uplift them so they realise that the resources we already have around us can change our lives. Let us use what we have to build a better future.”
A woman demonstrates the traditional art of grinding millet on a grinding stone (guyo) at Amai Cookout Competition in Kwekwe.
For Enia Matsika with disability, she was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for this incredible opportunity.
“Through this programme, I have learnt valuable skills and ideas that I will take back to my community and use to improve my life and start a business.
“Thank you, our First Lady, for including and uplifting everyone, especially persons with disabilities. This programme has shown us that we are capable, valuable and empowered to build a better future for ourselves and our communities.”
Some of the winners, including Mabhiza Mavisa, had this to say: “I am truly honoured and grateful to the First Lady for this life-changing programme. This initiative has given me confidence, motivation and the determination to keep growing in my culinary journey.
“Amai is empowering women and creating opportunities for us to turn our talents into successful businesses. Thank you, our First Lady for believing in us and giving us a platform to shine.”
Anesu Munangarwa was also proud and excited to be part of the amazing programme. “Our First Lady has inspired us to believe in ourselves and make use of the opportunities around us. This competition has not only rewarded us, but it has also empowered us with knowledge, confidence and vision for the future.”
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Chief Executive Dr George Manyaya said the 2026 National Traditional Cookout Competition had grown into a key platform for showcasing Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage and tourism potential, expressing gratitude to all stakeholders and applauding the organising committee for ensuring the successful staging of the event across the country.
“To our talented and passionate competitors, you are the true heroes of today. You have carried the recipes of your grandmothers, the wisdom of your elders and the creativity of your generation, and presented it all with extraordinary skill and pride. Whether you leave today with a trophy or not, know this: you are custodians of Zimbabwe’s soul,” he said.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister, Ambassador Dr Frederick Shava, said the competition plays a key role in linking education to culture, heritage and economic opportunities.
Minister Shava said all the country’s 51 higher and tertiary education institutions participated in the provincial competitions, with 20 outstanding students advancing to the national finals. “Cookout competitions are more than culinary contests. They are incubators of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship,” he said.
A traditional dish featuring a variety of meats including rabbit being exhibited during Amai’s Traditional Cookout national competition in Kwekwe.
Minister Shava said the competitions were linking education with culture, tourism and economic development in line with the Education 5.0 framework and Vision 2030.
“The national cookout competitions leverage our institutions to demonstrate how they are nurturing talent beyond the classroom, linking our education to culture, heritage and economic opportunity,” he said.
Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Monica Mutsvangwa, in a speech read on her behalf by Dr Mavis Sibanda, said the cookout competition has become a gateway for community empowerment.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the competitions have grown into a powerful platform for celebrating Zimbabwe’s rich culinary heritage while advancing community empowerment and socio-economic transformation, moving beyond women’s empowerment to become a national driver of skills development, nutrition awareness and income generation. “These competitions have evolved far beyond a platform for women’s empowerment; they now serve as a powerful gateway for uplifting entire communities,” she said.
“When women thrive, communities thrive. When communities thrive, nations thrive this is the essence of socio-economic development,” she said.
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, paid tribute to the First Lady for spearheading efforts towards positioning Zimbabwe as a leader in gastronomy tourism.
Midlands Provincial Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Owen Ncube, said the province applauds the First Lady for complementing the Second Republic’s NDS2 pillar, which promotes creative and cultural industries as key drivers of economic growth.
“As Midlands Province, we take pride in hosting the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Her presence, motherly love and inclusive wise counsel that leave no one and no place behind ignite hope and inspire us and future generations,” he said.
Archbishop Dr Andby Makururu, leader of Johanne the 5th of Africa International Church, commended the Amai Traditional Cookout Competition for promoting the preservation of Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage through traditional foods.
“Traditional foods are a God-given source of health and strength which must be preserved and passed on to future generations as part of our African identity and values,” he said.
Archbishop Makururu applauded the initiative spearheaded by the First Lady, saying it reflects the importance of embracing indigenous knowledge systems and safeguarding the country’s rich culinary traditions. Madzibaba Moses Gwasarira and Madzibaba Owen Chingondi, whose church members were among the winners, praised the Amai Traditional Cookout Competition for encouraging communities to embrace and preserve Zimbabwe’s indigenous foods and cultural practices.
“Traditional dishes are important in promoting good health, unity and respect for our heritage, and such initiatives help keep our cultural values alive among the younger generation.”
The apostolic sect leaders also commended the First Lady’s efforts in championing traditional cuisine, saying the initiative strengthens cultural identity and appreciation of locally available foods.
The event was also characterised by music and dance, with Sulumani Chimbetu, the ZPCS Band and several cultural groups entertaining the crowd.
