Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Lifestyle Senior Writer
August has come and gone, and September is here.
For thousands of Zimbabwean families, the new month brings the reality of back-to-school, with schools reopening this coming week and parents once again turning their attention to uniforms, books, fees and the daily school run. But while the school bells are about to ring again, the fun does not stop.
Far from it.
September is also opening the door to what promises to be a busy festival season, with music, food, fashion, culture and entertainment events lined up across the country.
For Zimbabweans, the transition from the cold winter spell into warmer weather traditionally signals a change in lifestyle.
People begin spending more time outdoors, socialising with friends and family, travelling to different destinations and searching for experiences that offer a break from the pressures of everyday life. And festivals have increasingly become the heartbeat of that movement.
Whether it is a massive music concert, a cultural celebration, a food festival, a carnival or a multi-day entertainment extravaganza, Zimbabwe’s festival calendar continues to grow.
Among the major events expected to spice up the months ahead are the Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival of Arts (OMIFA), Jacaranda Festival, Masvingo Carnival Festival, Kadoma Music Festival and Victoria Falls Carnival, among others.
These events are not simply about people showing up, dancing until late and going home. They have become important platforms for the creative industry, tourism and local businesses.
For many Zimbabweans, the appeal is obvious. After months of winter, there is something refreshing about dressing up, meeting friends, travelling to another city and spending a day or evening surrounded by music, food and entertainment.
And for the creative sector, these gatherings can be serious business.
Musicians, dancers, DJs, actors, fashion designers, photographers, make-up artists, event planners and other creatives depend heavily on live events for income and exposure.
For emerging artistes in particular, festivals can provide the kind of platform that is difficult to secure elsewhere.
Sharing a stage with established stars can introduce new performers to thousands of potential fans, promoters and industry players.
That is why the return of the festival season should be welcomed as more than just a calendar of parties.
It represents an opportunity for the creative economy to move.
One festival expected to make a major statement is OMIFA, which is being driven by Daisy Mtukudzi in honour of the late music icon Oliver Mtukudzi. Following the response to its inaugural edition, organisers are looking to build on that momentum. “OMIFA is now an annual event and fans should brace for exciting times,” Daisy told Zimpapers Lifestyle.
“We hold it in summer because the temperatures will be favourable for people to go out and enjoy themselves.
“As such, we can’t afford to disappoint them since the festival is meant for people to enjoy themselves. I will do my best to ensure that my husband’s legacy does not go unnoticed.”
For Daisy, OMIFA is about ensuring that the music and legacy of the late national hero continue to resonate with audiences.
“He might have gone, but his music still lives on and we will always cherish him and what he did for the masses to be entertained,” she said.
“When we launched this festival, we were really impressed by the feedback from fans who urged us to make it an annual event.
“As such, we are going to make sure that the event lives up to expectations and ensure that fans are entertained.”
Then there is Kadoma Music Festival, which is also preparing for another major outing.
The festival is set to feature Jamaican dancehall king Beenie Man and Congolese rhumba maestro Awilo Longomba, alongside a strong line-up of local performers.
Festival coordinator Prince Mharadze says the event has grown into an important contributor to the local economy.
“The Kadoma Music Festival has become one of the platforms creating business opportunities,” Mharadze said.
“Each year, there is an influx of people coming to Kadoma for the festival, putting the city firmly in the spotlight.”
That influx is significant.
People travelling from Harare, Bulawayo, Chinhoyi, Gweru and other parts of the country need somewhere to sleep, eat, travel and shop. That means hotels, lodges, restaurants, transport operators, vendors and other businesses all get an opportunity to benefit.
The same applies to major festivals in tourism destinations such as Victoria Falls.
When entertainment and tourism are combined, the impact can be even greater.
Visitors do not only attend the festival. They explore destinations, book accommodation, eat at restaurants, hire transport and spend money in local communities.
Festivals can, therefore, become powerful tools for destination marketing.
They can tell Zimbabwe’s story through music, dance, food, fashion and culture while attracting visitors who might otherwise never have travelled to certain parts of the country.
There is also the cultural dimension.
Festivals give communities an opportunity to showcase traditional music, dance, cuisine, crafts, fashion and indigenous knowledge.
In an increasingly globalised world, such platforms can help keep local traditions alive while allowing younger generations to experience and appreciate their cultural heritage.
International and regional artistes also bring another dimension by creating opportunities for cultural exchange.
But with the festival industry growing, expectations from audiences are also rising.
People want quality production.
And, importantly, they want local artistes to receive meaningful opportunities.
Organisers, therefore, have to understand that putting together a festival is no longer simply about booking big names.
The entire experience matters.
For Zimbabwe’s event industry, that presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
Well-run festivals can create employment for security personnel, caterers, technicians, photographers, designers, drivers, vendors and countless other service providers.
They can also generate much-needed revenue for creatives at a time when many are searching for sustainable income streams.
And perhaps most importantly, they give people something to celebrate.
