By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
MASVINGO — Masvingo Province has reaffirmed its ambition to position itself as a leading cultural and tourism destination following the hosting of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe 2026 Gastronomy and Music Carnival.
Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo, Hon Ezra Chadzamira, said the carnival provided an important platform for showcasing the province’s rich cultural heritage, indigenous cuisine and creative talent while contributing to socio-economic development under the Government’s devolution agenda.
Hon Chadzamira welcomed visitors, tourism operators, exhibitors, buyers, media representatives, creatives and performers to what he described as a celebration of Zimbabwe’s diverse cultural identity.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo, Hon Ezra Chadzamira joins Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi in song and dance during the Gastronomy and Music Festival at Caravana Park in Mssvingo
He said it was fitting for the event to be held in Masvingo, home to the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, from which the country derives its name.
“Masvingo is home to the iconic Great Zimbabwe National Monument from which our nation derives its proud name Zimbabwe,” Chadzamira said, describing the province as a land steeped in history, resilience and rich traditions.
The minister said gastronomy tourism went beyond food, arguing that traditional cuisine provided a means of preserving history, indigenous knowledge and cultural identity while creating sustainable livelihoods.
He highlighted traditional grains and locally prepared delicacies as important components of the province’s tourism offering, saying they could help present Zimbabwean identity to international visitors.
Chadzamira also placed emphasis on the role of music in driving cultural exchange and supporting the creative economy, particularly among young people.
“As regional and local artists take the stage, we celebrate the creative economy as a powerful engine for youth empowerment and cultural exchange,” he said.
The minister said Masvingo was continuing to unlock its tourism potential through devolution, infrastructure development, agricultural gastronomy and community-based cultural enterprises.
He identified Lake Mutirikwi, Tugwi-Mukosi and Gonarezhou National Park among the province’s major attractions, saying the carnival demonstrated Masvingo’s ability to combine cultural heritage with its natural tourism assets.
Chadzamira also commended President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s devolution programme, saying it was creating opportunities for provinces and communities to participate more meaningfully in economic development.
He linked the event to the Government’s broader development objectives under the National Development Strategy 2, including the ambition of building a “Knowledge-based Prosperous Empowered Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030.”
The minister further welcomed the enactment of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, saying the legal development strengthened the governance framework underpinning the devolution agenda.
According to Chadzamira, strengthened local governance and stability could create an enabling environment for initiatives such as the gastronomy and music carnival to expand tourism, stimulate regional growth and create opportunities for local communities.
He urged visitors to immerse themselves in Masvingo’s cultural offerings by sampling indigenous cuisine, experiencing local music and exploring the province’s heritage sites.
He also called on local communities and exhibitors to showcase Masvingo’s renowned hospitality and present the best of the province to visitors.
The Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe 2026 carnival brings together food, music, tourism and heritage, providing a platform for cultural expression while highlighting the potential of the creative and tourism sectors to contribute to local economic development.
Chadzamira concluded by thanking the organisers, performers, exhibitors, partners and visitors for making the event possible.
“Hikesile, Tatenda! Siyabonga! I thank you!” he said.
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