Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, [email protected]
BULAWAYO is poised for a significant trade, tourism and investment boost after the Festival of Black and African Arts and Culture (FESTAC Africa) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zimbabwe Indigenous Miners Association (ZIMA), paving the way for the hosting of the continental festival in the city from September 21 to 26.
The partnership is expected to unlock new opportunities for local businesses, miners, artists, tourism operators and small-to-medium enterprises, while positioning Bulawayo as a strategic gateway for intra-African trade, cultural diplomacy and investment.
The agreement, signed on Friday, is also expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s profile as a destination for continental partnerships, building on the country’s engagement and re-engagement policy and the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” drive.
The signing ceremony was attended by Zanu-PF Politburo member and secretary for business development Cde Elifasi Mashaba, who was the guest of honour, FESTAC Africa chairman Engineer Yinka Abioye, ZIMA president Ms Silingiwe Masuku, Government officials, business leaders and delegates from across the continent.
Speaking during the ceremony, Cde Mashaba said the partnership was a testament to the success of President Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement policy, which continues to attract investment and strengthen international cooperation.
“For the first time in 60 years of FESTAC, the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region will host this pan-African festival of our people and Bulawayo, the City of Kings and Queens, has been chosen to carry that flame from September 21 to 26. This is not an accident,” he said.
“Today, under National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030 under the stewardship of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, we export our culture again, but now with trade and investment attached. This is what Africa togetherness means.”
Cde Mashaba said Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage, agricultural sector, mining industry and small-to-medium enterprises stood to benefit immensely from the partnership.
“When His Excellency says Zimbabwe must become an upper middle-income economy and an agro-industrial hub by 2030, our blueberries, our citrus, our beadwork, our sculptures and many other products become export opportunities. FESTAC is their market,” he said.
Addressing local producers and entrepreneurs, Cde Mashaba urged stakeholders to position themselves to take advantage of opportunities expected to emerge from the festival.
“To our artists, prepare your canvas. To our farmers, prepare your harvest. To our SMEs and small miners, prepare your products. To SADC and Africa, come trade here, invest and celebrate with us here.”
He said Zanu-PF, through its business development structures, was already mobilising programmes aimed at ensuring that small-scale miners, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and other businesses derive maximum benefit from opportunities created by the partnership.
Eng Abioye described Zimbabwe as an ideal destination to advance Africa’s cultural renaissance, citing the country’s liberation history, tourism potential and investment-friendly environment as key attributes that make it a natural FESTAC Africa partner.
“There is no better icebreaker for global development, no grand opening for continental prosperity, than the unapologetic celebration of African culture. Our heritage is not a sideshow; it is the main event. FESTAC Africa is where Africa meets itself and introduces itself to the world.”
Eng Abioye said Zimbabwe’s hosting of the festival in September marked the movement’s historic expansion into the Southern African Development Community region.
He commended President Mnangagwa for championing Zimbabwe’s growth as a premier tourism and investment destination.
“We must explicitly celebrate His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe, for his visionary, unwavering support of the youth and women of this nation. By promoting Zimbabwe as a premier global destination for tourism and trade, the President aligns perfectly with the core strategic pillars of FESTAC Africa.”
Eng Abioye also challenged both Government and the private sector to work together in securing Zimbabwe’s future hosting rights for the continental festival.
“We thank Zimbabwe deeply for expressing its initial interest in hosting this prestigious global event. An opportunity of this magnitude demands decisive action. We want Zimbabwe to take on this challenge boldly, ensuring you have the time, the resources and the commitment to deliver a world-class event.”
Eng Abioye said the partnership with ZIMA demonstrated the close link between culture and economic development.
“Many may not immediately see how a cultural body and a mining association can work together, but culture and mining intersect. Mining is the backbone of our economy and from FESTAC Africa’s side, we give you our word that we will use every platform we have to advance the interests of ZIMA throughout Africa and beyond.”
ZIMA president Ms Silingiwe Masuku said the agreement marked a historic milestone that brings together Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth and rich cultural heritage.
“Today, we stand collectively to register a historic epoch. We are deeply humbled and honoured by the profound trust and unwavering confidence reposed in us by the FESTAC Renaissance Committee under the visionary leadership of Engineer Yinka Abioye,” she said.
“This partnership demonstrates that the mineral wealth we extract from our soil must always go hand in hand with the rich cultural heritage that defines our soul. True indigenous empowerment is the harmonisation of economic industry and cultural identity.”
Ms Masuku said the partnership would create new opportunities for economic growth through tourism, enterprise development, innovation and regional cooperation.
“We firmly believe this festival will serve as a powerful catalyst. It will bring about a flourishing of culture and heritage exchange while simultaneously unlocking immense commercial opportunities in business, regional tourism, skills development and cross-border innovation.”
She urged Zimbabweans to rally behind preparations for the September event.
“We’re setting the stage, laying the foundations and igniting the spirit of unity as we prepare for the main festival event. Together, let us welcome the world to Bulawayo. Together, let us showcase the unmatched brilliance of Zimbabwe.”
The MoU is expected to strengthen cooperation between Zimbabwe and FESTAC Africa in promoting trade, tourism, investment, indigenous enterprise development and cultural diplomacy, while creating new opportunities for Zimbabwean businesses to access regional and international markets.
