Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE breathtaking landscape of Matobo National Park, famed for its scenic balancing rocks and the tranquil Sandy Spruit Dam, will set the stage for the Matobo Gin Festival, an annual celebration of craft spirits, fine cuisine and home-grown creativity, taking place on Saturday.
Now a fixture on Zimbabwe’s lifestyle calendar, this year’s edition is poised to make history with a pioneering artistic collaboration that fuses the world of visual art with premium craft gin in a way never seen before in the country.
The festival’s organisers have partnered with acclaimed Zimbabwean muralist Leeroy Brittain, popularly known as BOW Sphinx, to produce 15 limited-edition Matobo Gin bottles featuring his exclusive 3D art installations. The collector’s items will become the first-ever collaboration between a local beverage brand and a visual artist.
For BOW Sphinx, the partnership is more than just a professional opportunity, it is a major leap for the country’s graffiti and mural art movement.
“It’s an honour to partner with a growing local brand that’s hosting such a significant event. This is a win for the graffiti and mural community. We started by simply drawing on walls, and now we’re being recognised by major organisations. That’s huge,” he said.
He hopes the collaboration will inspire emerging artists to think beyond traditional canvases.
“This will definitely motivate the next generation to push beyond what we’ve done. Art goes beyond paint; it’s bigger than the wall or the brush. Muralism was just the beginning; the possibilities now stretch into set design, fashion and more.”
Sphinx revealed that the bottle designs draw deeply from Matobo’s heritage and landscape, incorporating elements such as San rock art and the rugged rock formations that define the area.
“Matobo Gin represents Matobo — its history, its spirit, its land. Those elements will all be visible on the bottle,” he explained.
Festival organiser Langalakhe Moyo said the collaboration reflects a deliberate shift in the event’s creative direction.
“We’ve worked with Sphinx on artistic aspects in previous editions, but this year we wanted something completely different. The limited-edition collector’s bottles are a first, and we’re excited to see how people respond,” he said.
While the limited-edition bottles are expected to be a major attraction, the heart of the Matobo Gin Festival remains a rich mix of culture, flavour and entertainment. Moyo said festival-goers can expect a diverse selection of craft gins from top distillers, gourmet local cuisine celebrating Zimbabwean flavours and live performances. Performers include Ryan Synth, Zulu DHM, Stokswit, Jaiza, DJ Nospa, Asante Mo, The Outfit Band, and Victor Bravo, with Sizwakele as the host. — @MbuleloMpofu
