Londile Moyo
Nkosilathi Sibanda [email protected]
NKAYI District is bracing for a surge in economic activity as the Imiklomelo kaDakamela event approaches, with businesses in the area positioning to cash in on one of Matabeleland North’s fastest-growing cultural showcases.
Hosted by Chief Dakamela at his homestead, the event, slated for 3–6 April 2026, has evolved into a powerful economic driver, drawing crowds from as far as the diaspora. From accommodation to food, crafts and transport, Nkayi transforms into a thriving marketplace during the festivities.
Nkayi Business Community chairperson, Mr Arthur Mlozwi Moyo, says the event has become a reliable revenue stream for local enterprises.
“We are grateful to have this event in our backyard. Each year it brings real business. There is a noticeable increase in sales, customer traffic and overall economic activity. Even though it is a seasonal event, it changes people’s lives,” says Mr Moyo, who is into hospitality and other ventures in the district.
He says the ripple effects extend far beyond established businesses, with ordinary villagers actively participating in the value chain.
“As the event grows, so do the opportunities. People are turning their homes into bed-and-breakfast facilities, creating income streams that did not exist before,” he says.
Mr Moyo says even though the event is seasonal, its impact is lasting, with some residents securing temporary jobs and others building sustainable micro-enterprises.
“Events like Imiklomelo kaDakamela clearly show that culture is not just about heritage. It is an economic asset. This is grassroots empowerment in action,” he says.
On the tourism front, Mr Moyo says accommodation facilities are already reporting high occupancy rates, with bookings coming from as far afield as the United Kingdom and the United States.
He says the broader significance of the event lies in its ability to restore community pride while unlocking economic potential.
“Tourists are not coming for the chief only; they are visiting Nkayi, so it is a beneficial event to every sector. We have bookings from the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries.
“This event is ours, it’s for the people. What the chief is doing is commendable. Now our people are beginning to have faith in themselves, a renewed spirit of hope. Nkayi is no longer a place looked down upon. People have pride in themselves. That is what we need. Yinto yethu, kumele sizigqaje ngayo.”
Another businessman, Mr Bigboy “Mjimba” Moyo, says the event has opened up new opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs in Nkayi.
“This event has changed how we do business. Even those without formal shops are able to make money through selling food, drinks and cultural products. It is empowering the community in a real way.
“Some homes at Nkayi Centre, at this time of the year, are being converted into makeshift lodges, while open spaces become vibrant trading hubs. Even village homesteads at KoDakamela provide accommodation, which is really good.”
At the event site, villagers set up mini kitchens offering a variety of food, from traditional dishes to fast foods, while others sell Ndebele cultural artefacts, attire and traditional brews, all contributing to a rich cultural and commercial experience.
Ms Thokozani Ndlovu, a local vendor at Nkayi Business Centre, says the event has become a critical source of income for her family.
“This is our biggest business period. I sell traditional meals and sometimes everything gets finished before the day ends. What I make here helps pay school fees and support my household,” she says.
Mr Sibusiso Mkhwananzi, who converts his home into accommodation during the event, says demand continues to rise each year.
“Visitors are always looking for places to stay, so we prepare our home in advance. The income we get in these few days is significant. It has improved our lives,” he says.
Public transport operators are also expecting to record brisk business, ferrying passengers from Bulawayo and other regions, turning Nkayi District into a hive of activity.
Online Reporter