Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
CREATIVES from the City of Kings and Queens have hailed Government for choosing Bulawayo province to host the 2026 edition of the National Culture Month Celebrations.
The event will be held on May 21 at Barbourfields Stadium under the theme “Cultural Diversity and Creativity: Advancing Vision 2030.”
Commemorated annually in May, Culture Month is a vibrant celebration of Zimbabwe’s rich heritage, diverse traditions and the creative spirit that defines the nation.
The programme brings together communities from across the country through a series of events that showcase cultural expression in its many forms.
The main celebrations rotates among provinces, with Masvingo having hosted the event last year while Manicaland and Matabeleland North in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Over the years, the event has been staged in various provinces, including Mashonaland East (2022); Midlands (2021); a virtual edition in 2020; Harare (2018 and 2019); Mashonaland Central (2012 and 2017); Matabeleland South (2016); Mashonaland West (2015); Bulawayo (2014); Murehwa Culture Centre (2013); and Midlands (2011).
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) provincial arts manager Cleopatra Dube said hosting Culture Month at the provincial level gives local artists and culture of a city national exposure.
“The event provides a national platform for local musicians, poets, dancers and storytellers where they get stage time in front of live audiences and media that will be covering the event.
“The national event highlights stories tied to local geography, language and history from the founding of the city, indigenous practices, local dances, songs and book narratives that don’t usually get national programming. When the province hosts, the curation reflects what actually happens there. That means the local crafts, dialects and acts get documented and performed,” said Dube.
She said seeing one’s own language, dress and history valued on the national stage shifts how young people see themselves.
“When youth see peers performing, exhibiting art, or speaking in their home language on stage, it counters the idea that “culture” is something old or irrelevant. It becomes something they can participate in now.
“Events that pair elders with youth — oral history sessions like Ixhiba/Nhanga Gota, craft exhibitions, and traditional dance mentorship — create direct transmission of knowledge. Pride builds when young people realise they’re carriers of something distinct and unique,” she said.
Musician Mzoe 7 said hosting the National Culture Month events will allow them to showcase their unique languages, traditions, music, fashion and histories in an authentic way.
“These events also help preserve local stories and cultural practices that may otherwise be overlooked, while giving communities ownership of how their culture is represented.
Provincial celebrations help strengthen cultural identity by encouraging young people to connect with their roots, traditions and heritage.
“These celebrations will create important opportunities for artistes to network, collaborate and grow their careers. Musicians, poets, actors, designers and other creatives are able to meet potential partners, promoters and sponsors from within and outside the province. Performing at such events can also generate income through appearance fees, merchandise sales and future bookings,” he said.
Dance-outfit Khaya Arts director Future Dube said it’s always a privilege to host the National Culture month as a city for obvious reasons.
“Reasons include that all eyes will be on us, good business, tourism hikes and a good opportunity to show the world what we are capable of in terms of our culture, our talents and how organised we are as a city, taking into consideration that we are the cultural hub.
“Financially the artists who participate in these events are going to smile their way home because national events create an opportunity for getting into a big production to be showcased on the day and to perform as solo artists/groups, and in that collaborative production there are artists drawn from different parts of the city coming together to create a unique, powerful production,” said Dube.
Poet Dr Gasolo said it’s an important phase of growth for local artistes.
“It puts local creatives like Maskandi musicians, poets, dancers and storytellers on the national stage. Remember these are not usually featured in our national radio stations, we only hear about them on local and regional stations. So if given the opportunity to showcase at a national event in their province, it will widen their reach.
“This gives them a chance to tell their own stories in their own language and voice and leads to bookings, recordings and collaborations nationally. Publicly celebrating language, imvunulo (traditional outfits), music, food and history makes culture feel alive for the young. School competitions, youth performances and oral histories from elders build ownership and pride.
“It shows that being ‘modern’ doesn’t mean abandoning tradition and connects generations across the province. These celebrations act as a marketplace for collaboration, income (if the organisers fairly pay for the services of the local artistes), and audience growth. Artistes from different provinces meet and network. More shows, stalls and visibility create chances to sell crafts, attract sponsors and gain national TV and social media exposure,” said Dr Gasolo.
