Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu and Trust Khosa, Zimpapers Arts & Entertainment Hub
IN the arid plains of Chiredzi, a cultural revolution is brewing. On 22 May, the small but spirited town in Masvingo Province will transform into a national stage for Zimbabwe’s Culture Month launch, a celebration expected to draw more than 20 000 people and the attention of the entire country.
President Mnangagwa is set to preside over the event at Rusununguko Clinic Open Grounds under Chief Tshovani.
This is a moment that will be both symbolic and strategic, placing Zimbabwe’s cultural heartbeat in a rural setting, giving voice to traditions that often go unheard.
The 2025 Culture Month edition is being run under the theme “Celebrating Indigenous Voices”, a call to action for Zimbabweans to embrace their roots, languages, attire, cuisine, and artistry, not just in appreciation, but as vital components of national identity and development.
Culture Month coincides with Unesco’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (21 May), reinforcing Zimbabwe’s alignment with global efforts to promote cultural sustainability. Previously observed over a week, Culture Month was expanded in 2022 to span the entire month of May, a deliberate move by the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and its implementing partner, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ).
This year, the celebration is unfolding across four themed weeks. Week One honoured traditional cuisine and cooking methods, rekindling old recipes in modern kitchens, while week two shone the spotlight on Indigenous Fashion Week, a celebration of authentic Zimbabwean fashion and textile expression.
Week Three is building up to the national launch in Chiredzi, while week four will focus on indigenous languages and cultural dialogue, encouraging communities to preserve and promote their native tongues.
In an interview, Dr Biggie Samwanda, director of arts and culture in the ministry, confirmed that preparations are “well underway”.
“We’re expecting over 20 000 people for the official launch. The site has been assessed, and all logistics, security, sanitation, sound, and exhibition spaces are being finalised. The Masvingo Minister of State, Hon Ezra Chadzamira, will visit the venue ahead of the event to coordinate with Government departments and local stakeholders,” Dr Samwanda said.
He added that the cultural events planned for the day will include a street showcase of performing arts, fashion parades with traditional and contemporary attire, music and dance from renowned and local artistes, craft exhibitions and herbal medicine demonstrations, and a musical gala to conclude the night.
Dr Samwanda said this will not be a top-down affair as the people of Chiredzi and surrounding areas will be at the centre of this event.
After the official programme, a free-entry musical gala will entertain guests with performances from some of Zimbabwe’s finest. According to NACZ communications manager, Agga Nyabinde, the line-up includes Mark Ngwazi, known for his high-energy Sungura rhythms; Sandra Ndebele, a cultural icon blending traditional and urban choreography; Khaya Arts and The Elysium Dance Group, both celebrated for their storytelling through motion.
“The gala will not just entertain,” Nyabinde said.
“It will inspire cultural exchange between well-known artistes and emerging talent in Chiredzi.”
The presence of President Mnangagwa is expected to elevate the event’s significance, as it will underscore the role of culture in national cohesion, economic development, and diplomatic identity.
According to Minister Chadzamira, hosting the President is both an honour and a responsibility.
“Cultural events like these are pivotal in preserving our heritage. They ensure that the traditions of our forebears are passed on to future generations.”
He said Chiredzi is ready.
“We’ve mobilised local authorities, traditional leaders, schools, and community groups. We want to show the country that our culture is alive, evolving, and worth investing in.”
The Chiredzi event is just the beginning. All 10 provinces will hold their own Culture Month launches, officiated by their respective Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution. Each will curate performances, exhibitions, and cultural talks unique to their regions.
In Bulawayo, the provincial launch is set for 23 May at Lobengula Hall and will feature the city’s celebrated dance-theatre group Umkhathi Theatre Works, Hwabaraty, Bambanani Arts Ensemble, Umthwakazi Kandaba, and Woza Africa.
Events such as Culture Month offer platforms for communal storytelling and intellectual exchange, essential in an era where cultural identity often grapples with globalisation and modern pressures. By showcasing cultural heritage, the country is not only preserving its soul but tapping into the potential of the creative and cultural industries, sectors that are increasingly seen as engines of economic growth and employment.
The Culture Month launch in Chiredzi will be more than just a one-day event, it will serve as a national mirror, reflecting Zimbabwe’s past, illuminating its present, and envisioning its cultural future. It will also be a reminder that even as society modernises, its identity remains rooted in the languages, dances, foods, and fashions of its people.
And by opening up this cultural canvas to all, rural and urban, young and old, the nation creates room for healing, celebration, and collective pride.
So when the drums roll and dancers take the stage in Chiredzi, it will not just be for entertainment. It will be a call to remember, celebrate, and carry forward Zimbabwe’s timeless heritage.
