Wear it loud, wear it proud! . . . Fridays are for national dress this May

Zimpapers Arts & Entertainment Hub

ZIMBABWEANS, let’s ditch our regular Friday fits and step out in full patriotic flair, because this May, it’s all about the national dress!

As Culture Month heats up, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) is calling on citizens to wear the national fabric every Friday as a bold fashion statement and cultural celebration.

The fabric, launched in 2022, isn’t just a look, it’s a loud and proud declaration of identity, unity, and heritage.

“Fridays are for the national dress. It’s one of the ways we’re promoting cultural pride,” said NACZ publicist Agga Nyabinde.

MPs have already jumped on the trend, strutting into Parliament draped in the vibrant material, showing that culture starts at the top.

With Culture Month officially launching on May 22 in Chiredzi, President Mnangagwa is expected to lead the festivities. The dress, which carries symbols like the Zimbabwe Bird and national flag colours, was born from a 2020 national consultation driven by First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa. It has since become a symbol of unity, fashion, and fierce Zimbabwean pride.

“No more flag t-shirts and hand-held flags, now we wear our identity,” said one proud culture enthusiast.

From runway-ready gowns to sleek office attire, local designers have taken the fabric to fashionable heights, making it the hottest item in wardrobes across the country.

Even Miss World-bound model Courtney Jongwe has flaunted the look abroad, turning heads and flying the flag high.

“Wearing it isn’t just about looking good,” said fashionista Samantha Nyoni. “It’s about honouring our roots and celebrating who we are as a people.”

In Bulawayo, the party kicks off May 23 at Lobengula Hall, with cultural powerhouses like Khaya Arts, Hwabaraty, Umkhathi Theatre Works, and more lined up to bring the house down.

This year’s theme is Celebrating Indigenous Voices. The loudest voice might just be in your wardrobe.

So every Friday, forget fast fashion. Rock the national dress, celebrate your culture, and walk tall, because Zimbabwean pride never goes out of style.