Isizinda rises in Maphisa as a living home of culture, memory

RISING quietly yet confidently on the outskirts of Maphisa, the Isizinda Cultural Village has taken shape as more than brick, thatch and design. It stands as a cultural monument rooted in memory and intention, woven into a broader national vision to elevate creative and cultural industries while safeguarding ancestral knowledge and nurturing communities through the enduring, transformative power of the arts.

Purposely located beside the growing energy and movement surrounding the emerging Maphisa Stadium, the village mirrors the form and rhythm of a traditional Ndebele homestead. This is no symbolic afterthought, but a bold and permanent heartbeat of arts and culture meant to remain long after the cheers have faded and the Independence celebrations have passed. It is an anchor, fixed in place, reminding future generations of who they are and where they come from.

The layout speaks in the language of heritage. Huts crafted in the spirit of a classic Ndebele village stand proudly, including idale, iqhugwane, ixhiba lamajaha, ixhiba lamankazana, umkulu or kitchen and a granary, their presence evoking stories once shared around fires at dusk. Alongside these traditional structures sit an exhibition hall, kiosk, changing rooms, a performance stage and an administration block, creating a seamless conversation between the past and the present.

At its core, the centre has turned decisively towards its purpose of being a living museum, a space where architecture, memory and identity converge not behind glass, but in daily interaction. The cultural village, nestled within Chief Fuyane’s jurisdiction, carries the weight of expectation as it prepares to revive and reawaken the region’s heritage in a way that is tangible and alive.

Isizinda was ibutho to Maphisa. Just as an ibutho once stood as a shield and protector, Isizinda Cultural Centre is expected to safeguard the cultural existence of the people of Maphisa, the wider rainbow province and beyond, offering protection not through force, but through preservation, learning and pride.

A Zimpapers news crew toured the village on Thursday as workers applied the final touches ahead of the Independence Day celebrations. The air was heavy with anticipation, not just for the ceremonies to come, but for what this space represents long after the flags are folded away.

The project has been met with joy and approval from the community, which hailed the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa for ensuring that cultures are not slowly eroded, but actively protected and celebrated. There is a sense among locals that what has been built here belongs to them, and more importantly, to their children.

Speaking from the site on Thursday, Matabeleland South Provincial Deputy Director in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Promise Dube said the centre is now ready to fulfil its role as a cultural hub.
“The centre is a Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture project whose aim is to promote safeguarding and preservation of our culture. The centre will also be a hub/resource centre to support Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Heritage Based 5.O curriculum as it will also provide exhibition space for artefacts that are produced by the creatives from the communities,” said Mr Dube.

For residents like Mr Philisani Sibanda, the village carries a deeply personal meaning. He expressed happiness at the visible steps being taken to protect the traditions that shaped his upbringing.

“I’m happy to see places like the cultural village being built as this shows that our Government is committed to ensuring that our culture remains a vibrant part of our lives,” said Mr Sibanda.

As Isizinda Cultural Village opens its doors to song, dance, storytelling and learning, it does so not as a relic of the past, but as a breathing space for identity. Here, culture is not remembered quietly; it is lived, shared and passed on — steady, proud and unbroken.