Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
REVERED Tonga music ensemble, Mokoomba, will showcase its growing international appeal this Saturday at Alliance Française in Harare, as part of the ongoing 2026 Francophone Week.
The annual multicultural jamboree, which seeks to promote collaboration, exchange programmes, and the French language in Zimbabwe, kicked off on March 7 and will run until March 22.
Being a rich cultural fête that promotes various genres — such as spoken word, comedy, film, visual arts, dance and music — this event has become a permanent feature on the local showbiz calendar with high expectations each year. Zimbabwe’s most touring group, Mokoomba, which has performed overseas on several occasions, has been allowed to collaborate with French accordionist Arthur Bacon, along with local mbira player Nancy “Nasibo” Mutize.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Mokoomba spokesperson Marcus Gora could not hide his elation ahead of their performance on Saturday at the cultural hub in Harare.
“This is our first time performing at the Francophone Week, and expectations are high,” he shared.
“As part of our performance, we will collaborate with Arthur Bacon as part of the cultural exchange aspect. This is the spirit that Francophone Week seeks to promote.
“In our case, we last performed in France two years ago, and we are glad to be collaborating with the French artist at this event. We are simply looking forward to the occasion.”
Gora, whose group has been holding a series of private events for the greater part of 2026, assured fans of a fun-filled performance as they make yet another public appearance.
“This will be our first public performance of the new year, and expectations are high. We can’t afford to let down our fans who have been eager to see us on stage. The team is holding rehearsals ahead of the performance, and we would like to assure our fans as we make our debut at Francophone Week.”
This annual event aims to promote cultural diversity, exchange, and the French language in Zimbabwe.
Comedy lovers will have every reason to celebrate when Swiss and Zimbabwean comedians exchange notes under one roof during the ongoing Zimbabwe Francophone Week on March 19 at around 6 pm. According to their schedule, Vincent Kucholl and Vincent Veillon from Switzerland will team up with local comedians Comrade Fatso (Sam Munro) and Sharon Chideu aka Magi.
Special guests are also expected to be part of this huge celebration of humour and laughter, which is anticipated to add another spark to the Francophone Week. With humour being hailed as therapeutic, the Zimbabwe Francophone Week will not only leave attendees in awe but also show the power of collaborations.
The celebrations, which are also taking place at Alliance Francaise in Harare and Bulawayo respectively, are expected to boost the existing cultural ties between Zimbabwe and France, as has become the norm.
Being an international event, there has been a series of film screenings from various countries, which opened on March 7 and will run until March 20, with English subtitles.
By adding English subtitles, this was meant to ensure that non-French-speaking attendees can participate in the event. Some of the major films include Nha Fala, a vibrant musical about courage and freedom following a young woman who challenges tradition through song; Nasty, a Romanian storytelling documentary comedy; Seducing Doctor Lewis, or La Grande Séduction, a warm and witty comedy about a community trying to convince a doctor to settle in their town through an elaborate plan; and The Art of Nothing or L’art d’être heureux, a Belgian fiction production about a struggling conceptual painter who moves to Étretat to create his masterpiece, but unexpected encounters that disrupt his plans in this quirky, offbeat story.
A French song contest and a grand buffet on March 22 will also mark the closing day of the Zimbabwe Francophone Week. The Francophone Food Buffet is also expected to showcase the power of culinary arts in celebrating diversity and rich diets that have sustained people.
