Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
IN a major boost for Zimbabwe’s creative sector, historians and cultural heritage advocates, the Dzimbahwe Institute of Heritage and Culture (DICH) is set to introduce the Munhumutapa Heritage Awards.
It is a landmark initiative aimed at celebrating and preserving the nation’s rich cultural legacy.
The awards, which will be inaugurated in September during the Munhumutapa Heritage Awards Gala, seek to honour individuals, communities and institutions that have made significant contributions to safeguarding Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge systems and historical legacy.
According to a concept paper compiled by the DICH Board secretary, Catherine Makarange, and copied to the Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Anselem Sanyatwe, the awards are expected to be a game-changer for cultural preservation.
“The mission of the Munhumutapa Heritage Awards is to identify, recognise and promote individuals, communities and institutions that demonstrate outstanding contributions to heritage preservation, traditional arts, cultural innovation, and the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, while fostering national pride and intergenerational knowledge transfer,” said Makarange.
“These awards form a flagship programme under DICH’s broader agenda to revitalise Zimbabwe’s cultural landscape.
“Alongside the awards, we are actively developing a range of heritage-driven initiatives, including community heritage documentation projects, youth cultural mentorship schemes, and traditional crafts and oral history revival programmes.”
DICH’s concept paper states that the inaugural Munhumutapa Heritage Awards will be a significant step towards documenting, preserving and promoting Zimbabwe’s diverse cultural heritage for future generations.
“As the nation navigates a rapidly globalising digital age, the preservation of our foundational values, history, and cultural identity has never been more critical.
“Scheduled for September 2026, the inaugural Munhumutapa Heritage Awards Gala Event will serve as Zimbabwe’s definitive platform for recognising outstanding individuals, traditional leaders, historians, cultural icons, and organisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to safeguarding the nation’s heritage.
“More than a celebratory evening, the awards represent a national movement to bridge the gap between historical legacy and modern socio-economic development,” reads the concept paper.
DICH has invited strategic partners to align their brands with national pride, cultural sustainability, and unmatched institutional excellence.
“In the contemporary media landscape, indigenous knowledge systems, oral histories, and cultural protocols face the risk of dilution.
“While Zimbabwe boasts a profound history, epitomised by the architectural and governance marvel of the Munhumutapa Empire, there remains a critical lack of mainstream, high-profile platforms dedicated exclusively to validating and celebrating those who keep this heritage alive.
“The Munhumutapa Heritage Awards fill this void, transforming cultural preservation from a passive historical record into an active, celebrated national virtue.”
Added Makarange:
“Established under Gold Star, the Munhumutapa Heritage Awards operates within a framework of rigorous corporate governance, strategic planning, and meticulous stakeholder liaison.
“This institutional backing ensures that every phase of the project, from the adjudication of awardees to the execution of the high-end, custom-crafted awards and the final gala production, is executed with world-class precision.
“A Strategic Win-Win for Partners: In today’s corporate landscape, impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) requires authentic alignment with national development and social sustainability.”
The concept paper further outlines DICH’s major objectives.
“To Honour and Recognise: Establish Zimbabwe’s premier annual platform that identifies and awards at least 24 outstanding custodians of cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge, traditional food innovation, and national history by September 2026.
“To Amplify Cultural Discourse: Leverage mainstream radio broadcasting and digital media to engage an estimated audience of over two million viewers and listeners in conversations surrounding heritage, social decorum, and identity.
“To Foster Strategic Partnerships: Secure cross-sector collaborations between corporate entities, development partners, state institutions, and cultural practitioners to ensure the long-term sustainability of heritage preservation.”
At the awards ceremony, some of the major categories include the Mubikira Award for Culinary Heritage, where the Best Traditional Grain Innovation and Heritage Chef of the Year/Indigenous Food Preservationist will be honoured.
Another category is the Hwando Award for Linguistic Excellence, honouring the Outstanding Vernacular Author and Legacy Poet (Spoken Word).
