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PRESIDENT Mnangagwa will today preside over the National Culture Month launch at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.
The premier national event, which is aimed at honouring the nation’s rich heritage, diversity, and identity, is set to bring together traditional leaders, Government officials, artistes, cultural groups, exhibitors and communities from different parts of the country in a vibrant showcase of indigenous traditions, music, dance, food and art.
The event comes as the Second Republic continues to promote culture as a pillar of national identity, social cohesion and economic development through the decentralisation of major national programmes and celebrations.
Zimpapers will be covering the launch LIVE, so please follow this thread for all the updates from the launch.
All set for Culture Month officially celebrations in Bulawayo
Zimbabwe’s 2026 Culture Month celebrations officially kick off today at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, with thousands expected to gather for a colourful showcase of the country’s rich cultural heritage and diversity.
President Mnangagwa is expected to officiate at the national launch, which brings together citizens, artistes, traditional groups and creatives from across the country under the theme, “Cultural Diversity: Advancing Vision 2030.”
The celebrations are set to transform Barbourfields into a melting pot of music, dance, fashion, poetry and traditional performances, highlighting Zimbabwe’s cultural identity and unity.
Over 120 artistes from the Matabeleland region are expected to take part in a specially curated 30-minute cultural showcase that reflects the traditions and customs of the country’s various communities.
Bulawayo’s selection as the host city has been widely welcomed by creatives and arts stakeholders, with many describing the city as Zimbabwe’s cultural heartbeat.
The event also provides local artistes with an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national platform while promoting cultural tourism and creative industries.
Organised through the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture together with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, the commemorations seek to encourage citizens to embrace and preserve indigenous culture, language and traditional values.
Members of the public have also been encouraged to attend dressed in Zimbabwe’s national colours and traditional attire as a show of pride in the country’s heritage.
Culture Month is commemorated annually in May to celebrate Zimbabwe’s cultural diversity and recognise the role of culture in national development. The month-long programme will feature exhibitions, performances, dialogues and community activities across the country, all aimed at promoting cultural exchange and national identity.
Joshua Nkomo Foundation hails Culture Month celebrations
Hloniphani Nkomo from the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation, says they are excited to be exhibiting at the Culture Month celebrations taking place at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, where President Mnangagwa is expected to officiate the event.
He says such cultural gatherings are important in constantly reminding people of who they are, at the same time reminding the nation of its identity, pride and culture.
Highlanders FC amongst exhibitors at the Culture Month official ceremony
Bulawayo football giants Highlanders FC are among exhibitors at the national Culture Month celebrations taking place at their home ground, Barbourfields Stadium, today.
The event, which celebrates Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage and diversity, is set to be officially opened by President Mnangagwa.
The club’s participation adds a unique cultural touch to the celebrations as Highlanders are deeply rooted in Ndebele heritage and identity. Founded by the sons of King Lobengula, Bosso have over the years grown into more than just a football institution, becoming a symbol of unity, pride and cultural preservation among the Ndebele people and the nation at large.
This year’s Culture Month commemorations also come at a special time for Highlanders as the club celebrates 100 years of existence. Their exhibition at the event is expected to showcase the rich history, traditions and milestones of one of Zimbabwe’s oldest and most supported football clubs, whose legacy continues to transcend sport and resonate strongly with Zimbabwean culture.
Prince Sivalo Mahlangu showcases Ndebele culinary heritage at Culture Month launch
Cultural food chef Prince Sivalo Mahlangu has expressed gratitude for being among the exhibitors at the official launch of Culture Month celebrations taking place at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, where President Mnangagwa is expected to be the guest of honour.
The founder of Magriza Made Me Cook said the platform presents an opportunity to educate people about traditional Ndebele cuisine that was enjoyed by ancestors and continues to be cherished today.
Mahlangu said showcasing indigenous dishes is an important way of preserving and celebrating cultural identity.
“It is a privilege to be among the exhibitors at this prestigious event. This is the first time Magriza Made Me Cook has taken part in such a celebration, and we are excited to showcase our culture and identity through culinary arts,” said Mahlangu.
He said a variety of traditional dishes, including amasi and umxhanxa, are available for sale at their stand.
In addition to serving food, his team is also sharing knowledge on how the traditional meals are prepared, giving people a deeper appreciation of Ndebele cultural heritage.
Culture Month celebrations are a reminder of Zimbabwe’s identity – Nicholas Moyo
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Nicholas Moyo has encouraged Zimbabweans to throng Barbourfields Stadium today for the official launch of the national Culture Month celebrations, saying the event is an important reminder of the country’s identity, heritage and pride.
The celebrations, which will be headlined by President Mnangagwa as guest of honour, are expected to attract senior Government officials, ambassadors, cultural groups and hundreds of artistes from across the country.
The event is set to showcase Zimbabwe’s rich cultural diversity through music, dance, food, fashion and traditional exhibitions.
Speaking ahead of the celebrations, Moyo said Culture Month is more than just entertainment, but a platform that reconnects citizens with their roots and values.
He urged people from all walks of life to attend in large numbers and celebrate the country’s unique cultural identity.
“Such gatherings are important because they remind us who we are as Zimbabweans. Culture defines our pride, identity and heritage, and it is important for citizens to come together and celebrate that unity,” said Moyo.
This year’s celebrations are expected to place a strong spotlight on the preservation of indigenous traditions, languages and customs, while also promoting national unity and cultural tourism.
Bulawayo, regarded by many as the country’s cultural hub, will take centre stage as the nation officially launches Culture Month festivities.
President arrives for Culture Month commemorations
President Mnangagwa has arrived in Bulawayo ahead of the national Culture Month commemorations being held at Barbourfields Stadium.
The President landed at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport where he was received by senior Government officials, and other dignitaries.
Today’s commemorations at Barbourfields Stadium are expected to draw thousands of people from across the country, with various cultural groups set to showcase traditional dances, music, poetry, fashion and artistic performances representing Zimbabwe’s diverse communities.
Culture Month celebrations have become a key national event aimed at fostering unity, cultural identity and appreciation of the country’s rich heritage.
President Mnangagwa is expected to officiate at the commemorations and address delegates and members of the public gathered at the stadium.
Barbourfields comes alive as President Mnangagwa arrives for launch of National Culture Month
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has arrived at Barbourfields Stadium for the official launch of National Culture Month.
The event has drawn traditional leaders, Government officials, cultural groups, artistes and members of the public from across the country as Zimbabwe celebrates its rich cultural heritage, identity and diversity.
Culture takes centre stage as President leads commemorations
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has arrived at the Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, where he is set to preside over the 2026 Culture Month commemorations, a premier national event honouring the nation’s rich heritage, diversity, and identity.
Upon his arrival, the President was welcomed by a thunderous roar with cheers, chants and ululations reverberating around the giant sports arena. People attending the event rose to their feet, some breaking into song and dance as the President Mnangagwa acknowledged the crowd.
There is excitement sweeping across the terraces as schoolchildren are waving miniature Zimbabwean flags while praise poets and cultural performers are entertaining crowds ahead of the main proceedings. Delegates from different provinces proudly showcased their unique customs, languages and artistic expressions, turning Barbourfields into a melting pot of Zimbabwe’s diverse cultural identity.
The commemorations come at a time when the Second Republic continues to promote culture as a key pillar of national identity, social cohesion and economic development through the decentralisation of major national events and programmes.
Earlier President Mnangagwa toured selected exhibition stands in the company of Vice President Kembo Mohadi
The annual event brought together traditional leaders, Government officials, artists, cultural groups, exhibitors and communities from different parts of the country in a vibrant showcase of indigenous traditions, music, dance, food and art.
Visitors are expected to witness traditional dances, indigenous music performances, cultural exhibitions, food displays and artistic showcases reflecting Zimbabwe’s diverse cultural heritage.
Culture Month commemorations are held annually as part of national efforts to celebrate Zimbabwe’s rich traditions and cultural diversity while promoting social cohesion, unity and national identity.
Culture no longer just heritage, but economic powerhouse – President
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has challenged Zimbabweans to embrace and preserve the country’s rich cultural heritage, saying unity in diversity remains the bedrock for national development and the attainment of Vision 2030.
Officially launching the 2026 National Culture Month commemorations at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Thursday, President Mnangagwa said culture was not only central to national identity but also a critical economic asset that could drive industrialisation, tourism and job creation.
Running under the theme: “Creativity and Diversity: Advancing Vision 2030 through Cultural Expressions”, the commemorations were attended by people from across the country’s 10 provinces, showcasing Zimbabwe’s languages, traditional attire, cuisine, music and dance.
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe’s diversity should never be a source of division but a pillar of unity and peaceful coexistence.
“We stand with our heads high as a magnificent-diverse people, united under one indivisible and unitary state. From Plumtree to Mutare, Zambezi to Limpopo, we are one; Simunye, sibambene, tirivamwe, takabatana,” he said.
The President also warned against the erosion of African values and traditions through globalisation and digital technologies, saying Zimbabwe would remain vigilant in safeguarding its cultural identity.
“The National Culture Month commemorations stand as a bold declaration that we will continue to protect and preserve our heritage, including our languages, dances, ceremonies, cuisines, norms and traditions that make our Zimbabwean civilisation unique and very special,” he said.
President Mnangagwa paid tribute to artistes, poets, sculptors, musicians and chefs for preserving and promoting Zimbabwean culture through their creative works.
He described the country’s creativity and talent as a source of national pride, urging practitioners in the cultural and creative industries to produce authentic Zimbabwean content capable of competing on the global stage.
“To accelerate the attainment of Vision 2030, we must harness our unique cultural expressions as critical instruments for national development. The ingenuity of our people is an economic asset,” he said.
The President said the Government was implementing measures to commecialise the creative sector and improve livelihoods through cultural tourism and the arts industry.
In a major boost for creatives, President Mnangagwa revealed that he had directed the National Arts Council and local authorities to reduce registration fees and renewal levies for artists, promoters, venues and creative organisations in line with ease of doing business reforms.
“I invite the corporate world to partner Government and invest in the Cultural and Creative Economy sector. Synergies in this regard must see us create enabling infrastructure for increased professionalisation, skills training and creation of employment opportunities for talented youths,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also commended traditional leaders for safeguarding Zimbabwe’s heritage and urged them to document and protect indigenous knowledge systems, ceremonies and values.
He challenged communities to hold more cultural festivals to entrench traditional norms and customs among younger generations.
The President further called on the media to play a leading role in promoting Zimbabwean culture beyond the commemorative month.
“You carry a national obligation to promote Zimbabwean content. These one-month-long commemorations afford you the opportunity to fulfil that responsibility with innovation and pride,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also urged youth to embrace their African identity and heritage.
“You must never perceive culture, tradition and modernity as polarised enemies. Great innovators and creators of every generation have been those who draw deeply from their roots while reaching boldly towards new horizons,” he said.
President Mnangagwa stressed the need for national unity, saying no tribe, province or clan was superior to another.
“In all that we do, let us jealously guard our unity and peace. We are one people, one country and an indivisible unitary state. No clan, tribe or province is superior to another,” he said.
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi