Kudzanai Sharara in Shanghai, China
Zimbabwe has invited Chinese investors and partners to help develop its traditional cuisine into a multi-billion-dollar industry, describing gastronomy as a key enabler of economic diplomacy.
The call was made by the guest of honour, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Midlands Province, Honourable Owen Ncube, at Zimbabwe Day, held on the sidelines of the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE).
“With these few remarks, I invite you all to enjoy our delicious traditional Zimbabwean cuisines and partner us in developing this multi-billion-dollar industry,” Minister Ncube said.
The event was organised to celebrate and showcase Zimbabwe’s rich and diverse cultural capital, guided by the national mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
Minister Ncube commended President Emmerson Mnangagwa for designating May as National Culture Month and for his guidance at the launch of the 2026 National Culture Month in Bulawayo, where he rallied the nation to safeguard its heritage, traditions, languages, arts, music, dance and national identity against the challenges of globalisation.
He said indigenous heritage must be leveraged to drive economic growth as Zimbabwe works towards Vision 2030, of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030.
Zimbabwe Day, he said, celebrates cultural diversity, diplomacy and community empowerment. It also resonates with wellness, cultural preservation and international cooperation efforts spearheaded by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
The event further reflects the National Development Strategy 2 pillar on Job Creation, Youth Entrepreneurship and Development, Creative Industry, Sport and Culture, which aims to formalise creative enterprises.
Much of the address focused on programmes championed by the First Lady, in her role as Culture and Heritage Ambassador.
These include advocacy for the adoption of the Zimbabwe national fabric to promote patriotism, cultural identity and national unity; the Zviperengo Cultural Quiz Programme, which targets primary school learners to preserve and promote indigenous languages; and Amai’s Traditional cook-out competitions.
The cook-outs promote indigenous foods and traditional cooking methods among schools, churches, chiefs’ wives, persons with disabilities, inmates, communities and hotel and restaurant chefs.
During this year’s competitions, a Chinese national from Zhong Jin International Hotel in Kwekwe won the foreign chefs’ category after mastering the preparation of local matemba and mopani worms, known as amacimbi.
Other programmes highlighted were Agric-For-She, which encourages women and young people to engage in agricultural production; Farm to Market, which promotes local agricultural products and strengthens market linkages; and the establishment of Baradzanwa Cultural Village, a heritage and tourism destination hosting national, regional and international delegates under cultural diplomacy.
Minister Ncube said the First Lady had received national, regional and international accolades and recognition for her initiatives.
Zimbabwe hosted the inaugural UN regional forum on gastronomy tourism for Africa in Victoria Falls in 2024, which brought together representatives from 33 countries to showcase African cuisines, strengthen partnerships and discuss gastronomy’s contribution to tourism development.
In 2025, she was guest speaker at the 2nd UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa in Arusha, Tanzania, where she received the accolade of Godmother of Gastronomy in Africa.
She was also invited to the 2025 Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Live Demonstration and Conversation in Algeria, which highlighted opportunities for African food businesses, and hosted Diplomatic Cook-out competitions during the 2026 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which celebrated cultural diversity, culinary heritage and international friendship.
Minister Ncube said the health benefits of Zimbabwe’s traditional dishes in combating non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, among others, were well documented and testified.
He said as Zimbabwe pursues modernisation and industrialisation of its economy, gastronomy has emerged as a key enabler for building bridges across nations under economic diplomacy.
The Minister also toured the Zimbabwe Pavillion where several companies are exhibiting various products.
