Bulawayo to prove its cultural capital status

Local arts administrators have welcomed the Second Republic’s decision to host this year’s National Culture Month main celebrations in Bulawayo, saying the move further strengthens the city’s standing as Zimbabwe’s cultural capital.

The main celebrations will be held at Barbourfields Stadium on May 21, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa expected to officiate as the guest of honour.

The event is expected to draw people from across the country as they converge in Bulawayo to celebrate Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage and diversity. Running under the theme, “Cultural Diversity: Advancing Vision 2030”, the commemorations coincide with Unesco’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, observed annually on May 21.

The national celebrations will feature live performances from selected traditional and contemporary dance groups, musicians, and comedians.

Centre for Talent Development (CTD) director Thabani Hillary Moyo described the hosting of the main Culture Month celebrations in Bulawayo as exciting and significant. He said the city has long been one of Zimbabwe’s strongest cultural and creative centres, with a rich history in music, theatre, dance, poetry, and visual arts.

He said the celebrations would also provide local artistes and creatives with an opportunity to showcase Bulawayo’s cultural identity on a national stage.

“Beyond entertainment, Culture Month reminds people about the importance of preserving our languages, traditions, stories, and artistic expressions for future generations.

“Hosting the main event can bring major visibility and opportunities to the local arts sector. Bulawayo has incredible talent, but many artistes often struggle with exposure, funding, and access to bigger platforms. Events of this scale attract media attention, government stakeholders, promoters, and audiences from different parts of the country,” said Moyo.

He added that the celebrations have huge potential to create networking opportunities, collaborations, and possible investment in the creative industry, while also boosting morale within the arts community.

“Economically, the event may benefit not only artistes, but also vendors, designers, transport operators, and hospitality businesses. Most importantly, it reinforces Bulawayo’s position as a cultural capital and encourages young people to take the arts seriously as both a form of identity and a professional career path,” he said.

Matesu Dube, director of Umkhathi Theatre Works and a cultural practitioner who has represented Zimbabwe in several international arts exchange programmes, said he was delighted that Bulawayo is hosting the Culture Month launch.

“Having attended previous launches in other provinces over the years, I’ve witnessed the government’s strong focus on culture during these celebrations, especially with the President attending as the guest of honour.

“On this day, the whole country focuses on cultural practitioners, which is good for our sector. We expect growth in cultural business, whether in performing arts, visual arts, or other artistic disciplines.

“We also hope to attract new clients and gain financial benefits from our products and services. Above all, Bulawayo is a city made up of people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and this can attract investment from both the Government and private sector,” said Dube.

Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo director Raisedon Baya said Zimbabwe was fortunate to have a government that dedicates an entire month to celebrating culture. He said it was now the responsibility of creatives to use their craft to raise awareness about the country’s cultural wealth.

“It’s not every country that takes culture seriously, and as Zimbabwe, we are fortunate in that regard. With the main Culture Month celebrations being hosted in Bulawayo, I think it’s a fitting opportunity for the city to show the country what we’re made of. We always say Bulawayo is the cultural hub of the nation — now it is time to prove it.

“In terms of benefits, many artistes will get opportunities to exhibit and perform, meaning jobs and income opportunities will be created during this period. This is a huge gathering, and sectors such as hospitality and restaurants will also benefit,” said Baya.

Zimbabwe commemorates National Culture Month throughout May under the stewardship of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, intending to promote the country’s cultural diversity and heritage.