Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
THE prestigious Imiklomelo kaDakamela Awards are set to make their international debut in the United Kingdom following a strategic partnership between the Dakamela Trust and Isintu Fest UK.
The awards, established to honour individuals and organisations championing cultural preservation, leadership and community development, will be presented during this year’s Isintu Fest UK on 11 July at the Holford Drive Community Hub in Birmingham, England.
The UK edition follows the successful hosting of the Imiklomelo kaDakamela Cultural Festival in Nkayi earlier this year, where Isintu Fest UK participated through a specially curated performance showcase. The collaboration laid the foundation for what has now evolved into an international partnership.
The move marks a significant milestone for the Nkayi-born cultural initiative, transforming it from a local recognition platform into an international brand with a growing presence among African diaspora communities.
Announcing the development, organiser of the awards Chief Mbusi Dakamela said the introduction of the Imiklomelo kaDakamela UK Awards reflects the trust’s vision of taking the platform beyond Zimbabwe’s borders while strengthening cultural ties between Africa and the diaspora.
“As part of the next phase of this growing relationship, the Dakamela Trust and Isintu Festival UK are proud to introduce the Imiklomelo kaDakamela UK Awards, which will recognise individuals and organisations making significant contributions to cultural preservation, community development, leadership, and the promotion of African heritage,” said Chief Dakamela.
He said the awards would provide a platform to celebrate cultural custodians and community builders in the diaspora.
while encouraging greater collaboration between Africans on the continent and those living abroad.
Chief Dakamela said the expansion is in line with a broader vision of positioning Imiklomelo kaDakamela as a globally recognised cultural institution while remaining firmly rooted in the communities of Nkayi and Matabeleland.
The awards will form part of the wider Isintu Fest UK celebrations, one of the leading platforms dedicated to promoting African culture, heritage and identity among diaspora communities. Founded in 2023 by Zimbabwean-born, UK-based Maskandi artiste and cultural ambassador Sisa Senkosi, Isintu Fest UK has emerged as an important vehicle for preserving Southern African cultural traditions abroad.
This year’s festival will be headlined by the acclaimed South African Maskandi group Ingane Zoma, who will share the stage with Sisa Senkosi, Mazilankatha, 2 Kidd, Zinjaziyamluma and Busi Mhlanga.
