Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
ZIMBABWE’S rich cultural heritage is set to take centre stage with the launch of the Munhumutapa Heritage Awards, a new initiative aimed at recognising individuals and institutions that are preserving the country’s traditions, history and creative expressions.
The inaugural Awards Gala is scheduled for September 2026 and is expected to bring together artists, cultural custodians, historians, traditional leaders and heritage enthusiasts from across Zimbabwe in celebration of the country’s rich and diverse cultural legacy.
The awards seek to celebrate excellence in heritage preservation while promoting Zimbabwe’s creative and cultural industries by honouring historians, cultural practitioners, artists and heritage advocates whose work helps safeguard the nation’s identity.
Organisers say the awards, which are expected to become an annual event, will recognise outstanding achievements in heritage preservation, traditional arts and cultural innovation, while encouraging greater appreciation of Zimbabwe’s diverse languages, customs and indigenous knowledge systems.
Chief executive officer of the awards, Mr Vusa Hlatshwayo, popularly known as Vusa Blaqs, said the initiative was founded by a group of young Zimbabweans committed to safeguarding the country’s cultural heritage for future generations.
“The initiative was announced in June 2026. The mission is to identify, recognise and promote individuals and institutions for outstanding contributions to heritage preservation, traditional arts and cultural innovation, fostering national pride and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
“The vision is to revitalise Zimbabwe’s cultural landscape and bridge the gap between historical legacy and modern socio-economic development,” said Vusa Blaqs.
He said the organisers envision the awards growing into Zimbabwe’s premier platform dedicated to celebrating the country’s cultural heritage.
“We want to transform the awards into Zimbabwe’s definitive, high-profile annual platform dedicated exclusively to celebrating cultural heritage, creating a national movement that makes preservation an active, celebrated virtue for generations to come,” he said.
Vusa Blaqs said although preparations for the inaugural edition are still underway, the organisers are committed to ensuring the awards are guided by robust governance structures and a transparent adjudication process.
“While specific details aren’t publicly finalised, the awards operate under a framework of rigorous corporate governance and strategic planning, with a clear adjudication process managed by the Munhumutapa Heritage Board to ensure world-class precision and fairness,” he said.
The inaugural edition will recognise excellence across several disciplines within Zimbabwe’s Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs), with plans to broaden the scope of the awards in subsequent editions.
“Year one prioritises categories namely Culinary Heritage, Linguistic Excellence, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Traditional Fashion and Film. Expansion plans include developing community heritage documentation projects, youth mentorship schemes, and oral history revival programmes,” said Vusa Blaqs.
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