Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
The usually quiet mining town of Gwanda is buzzing with excitement as hundreds of civil servants from across Zimbabwe arrive for the 2026 Inter-Ministerial Sports and Arts Festival, turning Matabeleland South into a hub of sport, culture and national unity.
The festival, which runs from September 11 to 18, is far more than a sporting competition. It is a celebration of teamwork, healthy living and cultural diversity, bringing together Government workers from every corner of the country to compete, perform and interact outside their normal working environments.
For Matabeleland South, the event presents an opportunity to showcase its rich heritage, warm hospitality and unique cultural identity.
Known as Zimbabwe’s “rainbow province”, Matabeleland South is home to a diverse mix of languages and cultures, including Sotho, Ndebele, Kalanga, Shangani, Xhosa, Venda and sign language.
This week, the province opens its doors to visitors from all provinces, inviting them to experience its people, culture and community spirit.
The annual festival is being hosted under the theme, “Healthy nation, productive workforce”, a message that highlights the importance of physical fitness, mental wellbeing and strong working relationships within the public service.
Throughout the week, participants will compete in a variety of sporting disciplines that cater for different interests and abilities.
Football is expected to draw large crowds, with matches set to be played at Pelandaba Stadium, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic Old Site, St Christopher’s Primary School, Mt Cazalet Primary School, ZPCS Grounds and ZRP New Camp Grounds.
Athletics competitions will be staged at Pelandaba Stadium, while netball teams will battle for honours at Pelandaba Stadium, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic New Site and Gwanda Adventist Primary School.
Volleyball enthusiasts will head to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic Old Site, Gwanda District Club and Gwanda High School, while tug-of-war contests will test strength and teamwork at Pelandaba Stadium.
Chess players will lock horns at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic New Site, as darts competitors square off at Gwanda District Club.
For athletes who enjoy road running, organisers have mapped out 5km, 10km and 21km marathon routes through Gwanda and surrounding areas.
Traditional games, aerobics sessions and the popular Walk for Life programme will also form part of the packed sporting schedule.
Yet the festival is not only about sporting excellence.
Arts and culture will take centre stage through a series of competitions designed to celebrate Zimbabwe’s creative talent and cultural diversity. Participants will showcase their abilities in events such as modelling, choir competitions, Nharire Yomusha performances and the National Fabric Fashion Show.
The activities are expected to provide a colourful display of Zimbabwe’s traditions, creativity and cultural pride.
Behind the scenes, organisers have spent months preparing venues, accommodation and logistics to ensure the smooth running of the week-long festival.
Matabeleland South Provincial Deputy Director in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Promise Dube, says the province is fully prepared for the challenge.
“We are ready to host the national competition here in Gwanda. Participants started to arrive on Wednesday and Thursday, and they have come in large numbers.
“Our facilities are well on point and ready to host the event throughout the whole week up to the opening and closing ceremony,” said Dube.
The large turnout is expected to boost activity in Gwanda, with local businesses, accommodation providers and transport operators set to benefit from the influx of visitors.
Restaurants, shops and service providers are likely to experience increased business as participants and supporters settle into the town for the duration of the festival.
The event is also expected to strengthen professional relationships among civil servants who spend most of the year working in different provinces and ministries.
Away from office desks and meeting rooms, participants will have an opportunity to build friendships, exchange ideas and strengthen cooperation through sport and cultural activities.
One of the highlights of the festival will be the official opening and closing ceremonies.
According to Dube, Vice President Kembo Mohadi is expected to preside over both events.
“The official opening and closing ceremony is on 16 September at Pelandaba Stadium for the sport and arts festival.
“Guest of Honour is Vice President Hon Col (Rtd) Dr Kembo Mohadi, who will be accompanied by our Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Ansaleem Sanyatwe. Other Ministers and Deputy Ministers are also expected to be in attendance,” he said.
The presence of senior Government officials underlines the importance attached to the festival as part of broader efforts to promote health, wellness and productivity within the public service.
As athletes lace up their boots, runners prepare for the road races and performers fine-tune their acts, excitement is steadily building across Gwanda.
For one week, the town will become the beating heart of Zimbabwe’s public service community, bringing together different cultures, professions and regions in the spirit of competition, camaraderie and national unity.
And as the first whistle blows and the opening performances begin, Matabeleland South will proudly take centre stage, welcoming the nation to a festival where sport, culture and friendship come together under one banner.
