First lady champions living heritage in schools . . . as Zviperengo Cultural Quiz Show national finals roll out

Blessings Chidakwa-Herald Reporter

FIRST Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has said her dream is to build a lasting legacy where the young generation become the living thread that weaves heritage into everyday life, a way of being grounded in values, beliefs and pride in local identity.

Dr Mnangagwa said this as her thrust to preserve Zimbabwe’s living heritage came to the fore in Harare this week, during the national finals of the Zviperengo Cultural Quiz Show.

Harare Province came alive this week as thousands of learners, teachers, and parents from urban and rural schools gathered at the Heritage Village, Liberation City, for the Zviperengo Cultural Quiz Show, a vibrant celebration of Zimbabwean languages and traditions spearheading the nation’s cultural renaissance.

St Alberts Primary School learners participate in the Zviperengo Cultural Quiz Show national finals at Heritage Village in Harare on Wednesday.

The programme initiated by the First Lady, which began on February 4, 2025, aims to nurture a generation of pupils deeply rooted in their culture, language and traditions.

The competitions draw from both tangible and intangible aspects of heritage from traditional cuisine, dress and monuments to idioms, proverbs, and customs found in indigenous languages.

Through the cultural quiz and gastronomy challenges, pupils showcase their knowledge, creativity and pride in their Zimbabwean identity.

Learners tackled questions ranging from tsumo (proverbs), madimikira (idioms), zviperengo (spelling challenges), figures of speech, to zvirahwe (riddles) using indigenous languages and Sign Language, all aimed at restoring pride in mother languages.

The learners also displayed culinary prowess by preparing ethnic delicacies unique to their communities, including mbwire mbwire, sadza remapfunde, beef with dovi made from mapfura, nyemba with mapfura peanut butter, magogoya, ngozha, and mungai wemapfunde with peanut butter, among several other traditional dishes.

Officiating the national finals, First Lady Dr Mnangagwa expressed pride and satisfaction in witnessing the culmination of the initiative.

“It is with a great sense of pride, satisfaction and excitement that I grace this occasion,” she said.

Thousands of learners and delegates follow the proceedings during the Zviperengo Cultural Quiz Show national finals at Heritage Village in Harare on Wednesday.

“Together, we have traversed a long journey since the programme’s inception, taking it from schools, clusters, districts and provinces to this national stage.”

Dr Mnangagwa said the heritage programme was designed to make the young generation appreciate Zimbabwe’s cultural elements as living expressions of their ancestry, history and social structure.

“Our wish is to create a legacy where the young generation are part of a web that transforms our heritage into a living heritage,” she said.

“It should form part of a way of life firmly grounded in pupils’ value systems, beliefs, norms and attitudes.”

Dr Mnangagwa emphasised that education is the most powerful vehicle for safeguarding and transmitting heritage to future generations.

“Schools must cover content revolving around both tangible and intangible heritage,” she said.

“This allows children to appreciate their heritage and convert that knowledge into goods and services for national development.”

The First Lady also challenged pupils to carry the lessons beyond the competitions.

“The best recognition you can ever gain is when you present yourself with confidence and self-consciousness of who you really are,” she said.

“We are because of who we are, that is the Zimbabwe we want.”

Language Quiz segment leader Zaza Muchemwa, popularly known as Zazalicious, speaks during the Zviperengo Cultural Quiz Show national finals, graced by Cultural and Heritage Ambassador First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, at Heritage Village in Harare on Wednesday.

Dr Mnangagwa also saluted key stakeholders as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, University of Zimbabwe and the ZBC production team for their roles in ensuring the programme’s success.

“My utmost wish is that this initiative impacts our young generation as regards the preservation of their heritage, culture and tradition and that it does not just remain an ordinary programme,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa also took time to interact with learners asking them what is Nhime and to name their totems and wild fruits which they answered correctly.

Among the winners, in the Tonga category, Siansundu Primary School from Binga District emerged as the overall winner, followed by Simchembu Primary School, and Negande Primary School from Kariba District in third place.

In the Xhosa category, Nhlanhla Primary School from Insiza District took first place, followed by Emqwashini Primary school, Umguza District in second place.

In the Ndebele category, Nkulumane Primary School from Mzilikazi District claimed the top position, followed by Sacred Heart Primary School from Gokwe South in second place, Bembezi Primary School from Bubi District in third, and Matiwaza Primary School from Mangwe District in fourth place.

Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Angeline Gata applauded the First Lady for her remarkable initiative, describing her as a woman who is unapologetic about who she is and what she stands for.

“When something goes wrong with our culture, Amai, you correct it right there and then. You are a true custodian of our heritage, and we thank you for your selflessness,” she said.

The Deputy Minister also encouraged learners to draw inspiration from the First Lady’s work.

Language Quiz segment leader Tatenda Chinoda speaks during the Zviperengo Cultural Quiz Show national finals at Heritage Village in Harare on Wednesday.

“To our learners, if you are wise, tap into Amai’s vast knowledge and leadership. Because of her guidance, one of the beneficiaries from her Gastronomy programmes has opened a thriving restaurant in Gutu that proudly serves traditional foods. So, I say to you all, hold on to what Amai is doing, because many opportunities and companies are coming,” she said.

Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Charles Tawengwa applauded the First Lady’s passion and her dedication to preserving and promoting the nation’s cultural identity.

“The foundation of the nation will only be strengthened by an effective educational system that embraces the country’s curriculum by developing its young people through well-planned and coordinated indigenous activities. Full story on: www.herald.co.zw

“It is my hope that this Reality Game show will help the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and other organisations to celebrate the diversity of peace and gastronomy and further enhance the implementation of the Heritage-Based curriculum,” he said.

Among the judges were University of Zimbabwe lecturers Dr Angeline Masowa, Dr Patson Kufakunesu and Dr Takesure Taringana as well as Nobuhle Ngwenya from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

Attendees also observed a moment of silence for the late University of Zimbabwe Registrar, Dr Munyaradzi Madambi, who had been part of the programme during its provincial competitions.