Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu [email protected]
THE 2026 Inter-Ministerial Sports and Arts Festival kicked off today in Gwanda, Matabeleland South, bringing together hundreds of civil servants from across Zimbabwe.
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.
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.
Matabeleland South Provincial Deputy Director in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Promise Dube, said the province is honoured to host such a huge event. He said the turnout is overwhelming, with over 40 ministries having registered.
“The 2026 Inter-Ministerial Sports and Arts Festival is underway in Gwanda and as a province we feel honoured to have been selected to host this event. Civil servants have turned out in numbers to take part in this festival. Most teams arrived yesterday except for those who had pre-camp plans, as some arrived as early as Tuesday. Various sporting disciplines are now underway and we are looking forward to a good week,” he said.
Football matches are underway 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 preliminary competitions are being held at Pelandaba Stadium, while netball teams are battling for honours at Pelandaba Stadium, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic New Site and Gwanda Adventist Primary School.
Volleyball matches are underway at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic Old Site, Gwanda District Club and Gwanda High School, while tug-of-war is underway at Pelandaba Stadium.
Chess players are battling it out at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic New Site, while darts competitions are underway 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.
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.
Vice-President Kembo Mohadi is expected to preside over the official opening and closing ceremony on 16 September at Pelandaba Stadium.
@DubeMatutu
