Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
Herald Reporter
WHILE South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa officially opened the 115th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show with handshakes, speeches and traditional ceremonial ribbon-cutting in the main arena, it was also a hive of activity elsewhere in the grounds.
Between the stalls, under the shade of marquees, and along dusty pathways, a festival of faces, flavours and laughter unfolded, revealing the heartbeat of Zimbabwe’s agricultural and social life.
From the early hours, the gates transformed into a microcosm of Zimbabwean spirit.
Schoolchildren, notebook in hand, darted between exhibits, their eyes wide with fascination, some berating their parents for delaying the trip.
“I did not know pumpkins could be so big, or cows so clean,” said Grade Seven pupil Tariro Chikodzi.
“I want to be a farmer when I grow up,” she quickly declared.
Couples and families strolled under the marquees, checking out equipment, recalling past shows and sharing scoops of sugar-dusted doughnuts.
The smell of roasted maize and sizzling meat filled the air, mixing with sungura and mbira tunes that competed with the shouts of vendors.
Some families, watching their budgets, brought along homemade sandwiches, showing that for many, the Show itself mattered more than what was on sale. By midday, even the early birds were resting in the shade, catching their breath after a busy morning.
One of the most crowded attractions? The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) stand.
With drones buzzing overhead, a gleaming Cascavel armoured vehicle to climb into and soldiers standing attentive in full gear, this was not your typical expose of weaponry, but an open invitation to learn.
Parents and children were taught practical, everyday skills like how to use gas stoves safely at home, a timely lesson as gas use soars.
The star of the show, however, was the Virtual Reality goggles, which transported young visitors into the simulated training for both commissioned and non-commissioned officers.
Nine-year-old Nomalanga Chipangura, still holding the goggles after her turn, grinned and said: “I felt like I was already in uniform. One day, I want to wear the real one and defend my country.”
Her schoolmate, Lesley Mukanda, added: “I did not know soldiers trained like that. Now I want to be one of them when I grow up.”
Amid the fun, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri made a brief appearance. Smiling, she thanked the security forces for keeping Zimbabwe safe and stable.
“Thanks to the hard work of our men and women in uniform, sectors like agriculture, industry and tourism are thriving, and recording real success,” she said, in words that reminded critics and cynics alike that behind the drills and duties, peace underpins prosperity.
Not to be outdone, the Zimbabwe Republic Police stand sparkled as children scrambled into the prestige of a blue-badged Mercedes-Benz patrol car or posed atop a sleek traffic bike.
Horse riding offered another childhood dream: girls and boys chuckling as they bounced gently on horseback, reins clutched confidently in small hands.
All the while, clowns moved through the crowds, painting butterflies, lions and superheroes on children’s faces, leaving no child without some colour and laughter.
And then there was Seed Co’s pavilion, where the crowd was not just learning about “the best maize and soya varieties,” but laughing too.
SeedCo Head of Agronomy, Mrs Wendy Madzura, made selling seeds feel like a show, tossing in jokes as she handed out brochures.
“Our seed is so good,” she told one elderly farmer with a grin, “even your goats will wish they could plant it!”
The crowd laughed and for every serious explanation she gave, a joke followed, keeping her stand busy.
“Business is serious, but that does not mean it can not be fun,” she said, earning smiles and applause from farmers and children alike.
Meanwhile, in the food courts, friendships were formed over plates of sadza and stew or shared bites of honey-glazed pork.
Young agripreneurs mingled with buyers. “The show is not just fun; it is business,” said Marondera-based agro-processor Tafadzwa Moyo.
Maka Irrigation Company quietly held court too. Their Craigengower booster kits, reassuringly offering one-year warranties, drew curious folk.
The company’s general manager, Engineer Simbarashe Gosha, explained how, since 2017, the company has rehabilitated over 20 000 hectares and continues to grow through strategic Government partnerships, all to empower farming communities.
One of the most talked-about stops was the NetOne pavilion. Always a crowd-puller, the State-owned telecommunications giant went a notch higher this year, embracing the digital frontier with an elaborate virtual reality gaming station.
Young and old alike strapped on VR headsets and were instantly transported into immersive digital worlds, some piloting spacecraft, others exploring fantasy jungles, and many letting out loud squeals as they raced digital cars at breakneck speed.
One teenager, Tariro, said: “This is the future right before our eyes. It is like you are there. I wish I could take this home.”
Parents stood nearby, some filming their children’s reactions with their phones, others joining in the fun themselves.
Mimosa Mining Company reminded people of the depths of Zimbabwe’s mineral-rich past and present. Celebrating 100 years of existence, Mimosa created a breathtaking exhibition that quite literally allowed people to step underground.
Their stand was transformed into a mock mine shaft tunnel, dimly lit with flickering lanterns, giving visitors the sensation of descending into the belly of the earth.
The sounds of machinery echoed faintly through hidden speakers, while guides in mining overalls explained the process of ore extraction, safety protocols and the company’s contribution to national development.
Children clung tightly to their parents as they walked through the shaft, some wide-eyed at the adventure, others a little apprehensive of the darkened enclosure.
Yet, at the exit, all emerged with broad smiles, snapping photos and marvelling at Mimosa’s unique approach.
TelOne leaned into the national theme with their innovative Smart Traffic Management System, a pilot project that drew engineers, policy-makers and curious ordinary citizens alike.
Their stand demonstrated how interconnected sensors, cameras and software could revolutionise Zimbabwe’s road safety and traffic efficiency.
Animated demonstrations showed cars gliding through intersections where traffic lights adapted in real time, reducing congestion and accidents.
Young tech enthusiasts hovered around the stand, asking questions about the coding, the data systems and the possibility of job creation through such a project.
Unsurprisingly, NetOne and Econet drew some of the largest crowds of the show, their pavilions almost like carnivals within carnivals.
Econet’s focus on digital lifestyle, mobile money and entertainment services turned their space into a bustling market of ideas and engagement.
Competitions, live music and interactive displays meant their queues rarely shrank throughout the day.
By 1pm, lines still snaked around pavilions, proof that even midday hunger could not deter visitors.
The scene was a mix of old and new: tractors rumbling alongside children’s laughter, VR goggles giving way to farmer conversations, gas safety lessons blending with practical farming tips, and mining tunnels leaving wide-eyed amazement.
The agriculture of tomorrow may be mechanized, but on this sunny Friday in Harare, the heart of the Show was made of children, families, shared laughter, and the thrill of discovery.
Farai Machere said: “This is the best show I have attended in years. The stands are creative, the kids are happy, and I feel proud of how our companies are presenting themselves.”
Natasha Moyana gushed with euphoria. “I was blown away by Mimosa’s tunnel! I felt like a real miner underground. The children loved it too, and it teaches them where our wealth comes from.”
