Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]
VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr Kembo Mohadi, has described culture as the bedrock of national unity, identity, and sustainable development saying development without culture and identity is empty.
He spoke at the end of the inaugural Tshitaudze Heritage Festival, which ran from Friday to yesterday and was hosted in the Mpande area of Beitbridge. The three-day festival ended with prize-giving for schools and cultural groups.
VP Mohadi said Beitbridge powerfully embodies Zimbabwe’s unity in diversity and traced the history of the Limpopo basin, noting that long before 1929 it served as a corridor for interaction and settlement among diverse communities.
“The VhaVenda, whose historical roots are associated with the Mapungubwe civilisation, settled in areas including Zezani, East and West, following the upheavals of the Mfecane. The Basotho and
Northern Sotho communities, including clans from around Mokopane and Polokwane, crossed into this region as refugees from Boer expansion and established communities in Manama, Siyoka and Masera,” he said.
“The VhaShangani, whose history is associated with Soshangane’s Gaza Empire, also became part of this rich cultural landscape, particularly along the Mwenezi and Tshikwalakwala areas, bringing with them cultural expressions such as xibelani, Mapowu and Budula.”
“Today Tshivenda, Sesotho and TshiShangani live side by side as part of one Zimbabwean nation. Different heritages, one people, one nation. That is our strength.”
VP Mohadi commended community radio stations such as Lotsha FM 90.1 and Radio BuKalanga for preserving oral history and promoting indigenous languages.
He said the Government’s commitment to culture and heritage remains unwavering, adding that Vision 2030 is about modernisation, but that modernisation must be underpinned by citizens who know who they are, where they come from and where they are going.
“Our continent endured centuries of domination, the erosion and marginalisation of indigenous knowledge systems. Our civilisation was often misrepresented, and our histories distorted. Liberation corrected political injustice, but the work towards intellectual and cultural sovereignty remains unfinished. Institutions such as INSTAK and festivals such as Tshitaudze embrace this important responsibility,” said the Vice President.
He said the Revised National Arts, Culture and Heritage Policy recognises indigenous knowledge as a tool for social cohesion and for guiding youth away from harmful influences.
VP Mohadi said heritage is central to achieving Vision 2030 as it promotes tourism, safeguards the liberation legacy and serves as living classrooms.
He said the festival directly addresses NDS2 priorities including human capital and innovation, job creation, youth development, culture and creative industries, social development and devolution.
VP Mohadi commended the recent Provincial Annual Science, Sport and Arts Festival held at Oakleigh House Trust School and the National Annual Science, Sport and Arts Festival hosted by
Matabeleland South from 21 to 24 September 2026 as proof that culture yields economic benefits.
He said the Government introduced the Heritage-Based Curriculum to inspire critical thinking and ensure young people understand both their heritage and their place in a rapidly changing world.
VP Mohadi said Venda heritage provides identity, spiritual grounding and intergenerational unity, with sacred Zwifho and zwidutwane water spirits reinforcing responsibility to protect mupo and the environment.
“Cultural expressions such as Tshikona, the python dance and traditional pottery connect us to our past and to the wider heritage associated with Mapungubwe,” he said.
“We must promote Ubuntu, the understanding that it takes a village to raise a child,” said VP Mohadi.
Turning to drug and substance abuse, VP Mohadi made a special appeal, saying mbanje, crystal methamphetamine (mutoriro or guka), illicit brews such as musombodhiya and misuse of cough syrups now affect fathers, mothers and grandparents, not just youths.
“A community struggling with substance abuse cannot easily protect its culture,” he warned, adding that the scourge fuels gender-based violence, crime, teenage pregnancy and school dropouts.
He urged traditional leaders to strengthen community surveillance, use traditional court structures to identify threats and work with law enforcement to build Drug-Free Chiefdoms.
Host and patron, Chief Tshitaudze, said the festival was a dream come true for his community.
He said the cultural village was built to safeguard Venda history and indigenous knowledge that was at risk of disappearing.
“We want our children to know our sacred sites, our foods, our dances and our values. This festival is our classroom,” said Chief Tshitaudze.
President of the Chiefs Council, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, who accompanied the VP, said Chief Tshitaudze had set an example for all traditional leaders.
“This is what we mean when we say culture is wealth. Every chief must emulate this. Our chiefs are custodians of heritage, community values and social order as provided for in the Traditional Leaders Act,” said Chief Khumalo.
He called on chiefs to promote the Heritage-Based Curriculum and support Government’s drive to host the 2027 African union Mid-Year Summit at Liberation City.
Ends CKD PN
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