By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
CHIREDZI — In the remote Lowveld of Masvingo Province, a quiet revolution is taking place. The Budula Festival, a celebration of Tsonga culture, is emerging as a model for community-based tourism that could transform how Zimbabwe approaches heritage preservation and economic development.
Under the theme “Nhaka Yedu, Ilifa Lethu, Our Heritage, This Is Us,” the festival is proving that culture is not just something to be preserved — it is a powerful driver of tourism, livelihoods, and sustainable development.
Heritage as a Tourism Asset
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon Barbara Rwodzi, who was guest of honour at the festival, underscored the vital role of culture as a catalyst for inclusive tourism development and community empowerment.
She applauded President Mnangagwa’s visionary leadership in advancing community development through tourism and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working through a Whole-of-Government Approach to unlock the full potential of Heritage-Based Tourism.
Through the Heritage-Based Tourism Strategy, the Government’s Devolution Agenda, and a Whole-of-Government Approach, the festival is contributing towards the President’s vision of attaining an Upper-Middle-Income Society through programmes that leave no one and no place behind.
Transforming Culture into Livelihoods
The Budula Festival has become a model of community-based tourism, promoting entertainment tourism, gastronomy, conservation, and biodiversity while creating tourism entrepreneurship opportunities for local communities.
A centrepiece of this transformation is the establishment of 48 Tourism Homesteads in the area, where visitors can experience authentic Tsonga hospitality. Initiatives like the Mahlanga Mafundza Homestay accommodation allow tourists to immerse themselves in the village experience, staying within the community and directly benefiting local families.
The festival also showcases indigenous gastronomy, including products such as Mapfura Wine from Mwenezi, as unique attractions that resonate with today’s tourists. Minister Rwodzi encouraged communities to embrace tourism entrepreneurship by showcasing authentic cultural experiences and indigenous cuisine.
A Tribute to the First Lady
The Minister paid tribute to the Patron of Tourism and Hospitality, Her Excellency The First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, whose pioneering initiatives in promoting culture, gastronomy, and indigenous knowledge continue to transform local traditions into globally competitive tourism products.
She noted that the First Lady’s efforts have earned international recognition, including commendation by UNESCO for championing the preservation and promotion of Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage.
A National Stage
In a significant development, Minister Rwodzi invited the Chibhelani Dance troupe to perform at the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo 2026, where Masvingo Province will host Zimbabwe’s flagship tourism showcase for the first time.
The invitation offers the group an opportunity to showcase their heritage before regional and international tourists, elevating the Chiredzi community’s culture to a global stage and attracting international attention to the Budula Festival’s community-led tourism model.
The 2026 Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo, scheduled for 9-12 September 2026 in Masvingo, will place special emphasis on the province’s tourism offerings, including Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site, Gonarezhou National Park, Lake Mutirikwi, and emerging community-based tourism initiatives.
Looking Ahead
The Budula Festival’s success demonstrates that when communities are empowered to preserve and monetise their heritage, the benefits extend far beyond the festival grounds.
Plans are already underway to expand the initiative, with proposals for a Tsonga cultural village and museum through collaboration with Midlands State University.
As Zimbabwe works towards Vision 2030, festivals like Budula offer a blueprint for inclusive development — one where culture is not just celebrated but becomes a sustainable pathway out of poverty.
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