Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
Beauty and a deliberate revival of cultural history are taking over at the Tshitaudze Cultural Village in Beitbridge District as preparations gather momentum for the inaugural Tshitaudze Heritage Festival set for 25 to 27 September 2026.
The event has been positioned as a flagship cultural setup that will celebrate Zimbabwe’s diverse heritage and provide a national platform for schools, communities and cultural groups to promote indigenous languages, traditions and customs.
For a district that sits at the country’s southern gateway, organisers say the festival is about reclaiming identity, preserving what is being lost to modernity, and giving young people a space to learn from elders.
As a rainbow province, Matabeleland South is home to several ethnic communities and the festival is being designed to ensure that each voice is heard and known.
At Tshitaudze Cultural Village, the physical transformation is already visible.
Decorations of houses portraying the way of life of inhabitants are taking shape.
Those completed so far include the Sotho Hut, the Tshitaudze Heritage Festival Kitchen, the
Tshangani Cultural House and the main house that will host dignitaries and VIP guests during the much anticipated festival.
The structures are being built and painted using traditional methods and materials, with local artisans leading the work to ensure authenticity.
In a statement, organisers said preparations are in full swing with exactly three weeks to go before the festival roars into life.
“In terms of venue sprucing, major works to upgrade and beautify Tshitaudze Cultural Village are underway.
“The grounds, main arena, exhibition tents and cultural display areas are being renovated to host learners, communities and visitors in a befitting heritage environment,” said organisers.
They added that formal invitations to Government officials, traditional leaders, partners and stakeholders have been dispatched and confirmations have been received.
“We anticipate high-level representation from across Matabeleland South and beyond,” reads the statement.
Attendance is expected to be drawn from across the district and neighbouring areas, with cultural tourism also targeted.
Organisers said attendees will be treated to a versatile display of talent that bridges traditional and modern art forms.
“More than 15 artistes and cultural groups have confirmed participation. Audiences can expect vibrant performances in traditional dance, poetry, storytelling and traditional games,” said the organisers.
They further noted that at least 30 schools from around the Chief Tshitaudze area have confirmed attendance.
Learners will showcase cultural artefacts, crafts and educational materials as part of schools’ exhibitions and competitions.
For many of the schools, this will be the first time their learners perform on such a big provincial stage.
The 2026 edition is placing special emphasis on linguistic diversity and intercultural learning as pillars of national identity and social cohesion.
Organisers said the festival will prominently feature the Sotho, Venda and Shangani cultures, which are dominant under Chief Tshitaudze, alongside other Zimbabwean heritage expressions.
“We will have Traditional Dance, Poetry, Storytelling and Traditional Games in Tshivenda, Xitsonga and Sesotho. Schools and community groups will be showcasing cultural artefacts, crafts and educational materials.
“There is also going to be a Fashion Exhibition and Cook-Out Competition featuring local cuisine from the different cultures,” organisers said.
The cook-out competition is expected to bring out dishes that are rarely seen on mainstream menus, while the fashion exhibition will blend traditional attire with contemporary designs made from local fabrics.
Organisers believe this mix will attract both the elderly who grew up with the traditions and the youth who are curious to reconnect with their roots.
Beyond entertainment, the festival is being framed as an educational and economic opportunity.
Local crafters, food vendors and cultural groups will have exhibition space to sell their work, while schools will use the platform to teach learners about oral history, indigenous knowledge systems and the importance of preserving language.
With preparations now in their final stretch, Tshitaudze Cultural Village is being transformed into more than a venue. It is becoming a living museum where the past meets the present.
For Beitbridge and Matabeleland South, the inaugural Tshitaudze Heritage Festival is being billed as a statement that culture is not static, it is alive, evolving, and worth celebrating.
