President headlines Culture Month celebrations

Sunday Mail Reporters

PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA will headline the official launch of the 2025 Culture Month celebrations at the Rusununguko Clinic Open Grounds in Chiredzi, Masvingo province, on Thursday.

Over 20 000 people are expected to attend the event, which will celebrate Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage and promote unity through diversity.

This year’s Culture Month is running under the theme “Celebrating Indigenous Voices”, which calls on Zimbabweans to embrace and promote their traditional languages, dress, food and arts as vital tools for national identity, economic development and social cohesion.

The launch coincides with UNESCO’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, commemorated annually on May 21.

Director of arts and culture in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Dr Biggie Samwanda said preparations for the event were “well underway”.

“We are expecting over 20 000 people for the official launch,” said Dr Samwanda.

“The site has been assessed and all logistics, security, sanitation, sound and exhibition spaces are being finalised.

“The Masvingo Minister of State, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira, will visit the venue ahead of the event to coordinate with Government departments and local stakeholders.”

The launch, Dr Samwanda said, will feature a street showcase of traditional and contemporary performing arts, fashion parades marked by both cultural and modern attire, music and dance performances by popular and local artistes, craft exhibitions and herbal medicine demonstrations.

Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said: “Cultural events like these are pivotal in preserving our heritage. They ensure that the traditions of our forebears are passed on to future generations. We have mobilised local authorities, traditional leaders, schools and community groups.

“We want to show the country that our culture is alive, evolving and worth investing in.”

A musical gala will cap off the evening, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate in song and dance.

The gala, which is open to the public free of charge, is expected to feature some of Zimbabwe’s leading performers.

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe’s communications manager Mr Agga Nyabinde said the gala line-up will include sungura artiste Mark Ngwazi, cultural performer Sandra Ndebele and dance ensembles such as Khaya Arts and Elysium Dance Group.

The gala is expected to serve as a platform for cultural exchange between established artistes and emerging talent from Chiredzi.

The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training acting director for communication and advocacy, Mr Ranson Madzamba, said the ministry would take the opportunity to showcase various youth empowerment programmes being spearheaded by the Second Republic.

He said it is important for young people to understand and appreciate the Government’s efforts to uplift their livelihoods and involve them in national development.

“As you know, the preservation and promotion of our culture is indeed an essential ingredient of any meaningful developmental discourse,” said Mr Madzamba.

“A well-groomed, cultured youth is easy to empower.

“Our institutions, like the Youth Service in Zimbabwe and vocational training centres, value that which defines us as Zimbabweans in all their teachings.

“This is indeed a greatly significant event to us as a ministry.”

The 2025 edition is structured around four themed weeks.

The first week focused on reviving traditional cuisine and cooking techniques, encouraging families and chefs to bring back old recipes to contemporary kitchens.

The second week was dedicated to indigenous fashion. It was geared towards celebrating the rich tapestry of Zimbabwean fashion and textiles.

The third week will culminate in the national launch in Chiredzi, while the fourth and final week will concentrate on indigenous languages and cultural dialogue, encouraging people to preserve and promote their mother tongues in everyday life.

Each of Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces will hold their own Culture Month events, led by their respective ministers of State.

The events will feature region-specific performances, exhibitions and cultural discussions.

In Bulawayo, the provincial launch is set for May 23 at Lobengula Hall, with performances from celebrated groups such as Umkhathi Theatre Works, Hwabaraty, Bambanani Arts Ensemble, Umthwakazi Kandaba and Woza Africa.