. . . Bira reMbira Festival to connect cultural heritage with enterprise, employment and market access
By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE — The Government has positioned the mbira and Zimbabwe’s broader cultural heritage as a driver of economic empowerment, with the 3rd edition of the Bira reMbira Festival set to explore the theme: “Roots to Markets – Empowering Makers, Players and Markets.”
In a press release announcing the festival, Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Secretary Mr Nicholas Moyo said the theme reflects the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that the safeguarding of cultural heritage is accompanied by tangible economic opportunities.
“Bira reMbira seeks to strengthen the value chain around the mbira by bringing together instrument makers, musicians, educators, cultural custodians, creative entrepreneurs, markets and tourists,” Moyo said.
The approach recognises that cultural heritage must not only be preserved but must also be positioned as a source of sustainable livelihoods, creative enterprise, employment creation and economic growth — particularly for Zimbabwe’s young people.
Moyo said the Cultural and Creative Industries present significant opportunities for youth empowerment and enterprise development.
“Through platforms such as the annual Bira reMbira Festival, Government continues to support initiatives that connect creative talent with audiences, markets and opportunities while ensuring that Zimbabwe’s living heritage remains alive and relevant,” he said.
The festival will bring together established and emerging mbira musicians, with particular attention given to the participation of the next generation through performances by Primary and Secondary School Mbira Ensembles and young creative collectives such as Jaka Arts.
The Ministry’s approach is deliberately economic: the festival is designed to strengthen the entire value chain around the mbira, from the makers of the instruments to the performers who play them, the educators who teach them, the cultural custodians who safeguard them, and the markets and tourists who sustain them.
The exhibition component of the festival will showcase mbira instruments, the national fabric, herbs and medicinal plants, indigenous foods and other expressions of Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage — creating a marketplace for cultural products and creative enterprise.
Moyo emphasised that Government remains steadfast in strengthening the Cultural and Creative Industries sector.
“The Ministry recognises that our cultural heritage is both a source of national identity and an important component of the creative economy.
“It is therefore our responsibility to create an environment in which cultural practitioners can preserve our traditions while also developing sustainable livelihoods from their creative work,” he said.
Bira reMbira is being organized by Chipaz Promotions, Jive and Diana Samkange in partnership with the Zimbabwean government.
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