Online Reporter
Freedom Mupanedemo, Midlands Bureau
SPOUSES of traditional leaders in Zvishavane District, Midlands Province, gathered at Chief Masunda’s homestead on Wednesday for a traditional cook-out competition — a celebration of Zimbabwe’s rich culinary heritage and a testament to women’s empowerment.
The event, which drew more than 30 participants, provided a lively platform for the chiefs’ spouses to showcase their culinary talents, exchange traditional recipes and reaffirm the importance of preserving indigenous dishes for future generations.
The cook-out, filled with laughter, song and the aroma of simmering traditional meals, was held under the banner of First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s nationwide traditional meal cook-out competition.
Launched in 2020, the initiative promotes the consumption of indigenous foods while highlighting their nutritional and medicinal benefits.
Event co-ordinator and wife of Chief Masunda, Mrs Fidelia Masunda, said the programme had exceeded expectations and was empowering women in rural communities.
“We are seeing that women are being empowered by this programme. When it started, we never thought it would grow to this extent. The First Lady’s initiative encourages us to appreciate and preserve our cultural heritage, promotes healthy living and strengthens our sense of national identity,” she said.
Mrs Masunda added that the competition inspires Zimbabweans to remain rooted in their cultural traditions.
“We have our own unique traditions and culture, which we should always uphold. The First Lady’s programme is helping us remain connected to who we are, and we’re truly grateful for that,” she said.
“It’s essential that we remain true to our own customs and don’t adopt practices from other cultures without careful consideration.”
Guest of honour Mrs Yeyani Moyo, praised the initiative, noting its role in promoting intergenerational learning.
“We applaud Amai Mnangagwa for this initiative. It will help our younger generations to catch up with traditional ways of preparing meals and understanding their nutritional and medicinal value,” she said.
One of the participants, Mrs Prisca Sibanda, said the event had broadened her understanding of traditional cooking.
“This competition opened my eyes to new recipes and cooking methods. It’s a wonderful learning platform, and we are grateful to the Mother of the Nation for reminding us of our culture. Traditional dishes are unique, and they are natural and do not cause diseases,” she said.
