ESTABLISHED in 1997, Umkhathi Theatre Works is a multi award-winning performing arts ensemble based in the high-density suburb of Njube in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
With sixteen fulltime members and twelve juniors of school going age, Umkhathi is involved in a wide repertoire of performance art skills that range from African traditional dancing, music, drumming to poetry.
Umkhathi Theatre performances are not limited to types found in Zimbabwe only, but as well as those from
other different African cultures. As a result, the have the diversity to present the relevant and
provocative work of a culturally responsible theatre company.
Umkhathi is also involved in a number of local community programs seeking to relay socially relevant
messages through African dance, music and poetry.
Since our establishment, Umkhathi Theatre Works has grown to be one of the top performing acts in
Zimbabwe, producing performances in all our identified genres that have been well received by
audiences in Zimbabwe, the Southern African region, as well as by the international community.
- 2022 performed at the Surajkund Arts Festival in New Delhi, India
- 2018 performed at the 2018 Taichung World Flora Exposition in Taichung, Taiwan
- 2016 performed at MASA Festival in Abidjan, Cote Ivoire
- 2013 performed at the Dance Africa Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Denver and
Washington DC in the United States of America
2009 performed at Gcwala Ngamasiko Cultural Festival held in Pretoria and Eastern Cape, South
Africa.
- 2007 performed at the Heritage Day Celebrations in South Africa’s Limpopo Province
- 2004 performed at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival in Aberdeen, Scotland
- 2001 performed at the Maitisong Festival in Gaborone, Botswana
- 1999 performed at Dzalobana Festival in Francistown, Botswana
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As they seek to reach out to a wide audience in different parts of the world, Umkhathi have made it their policy to perform in various venues and areas such as established theatres, on the streets and in rural areas for audiences of all ages.
They are also involved in training both school-going and out of school youths in African traditional dance and music.
Their experiences over the years continually shows us that people love sharing culture, and the arts remain the most fertile ground for communicating mutual concerns with our neighbors. Our use of a wide physical vocabulary has been our most important asset in creating our multi-discipline performance packages that can successfully communicate across linguistic and cultural borders.
Awards and Prizes
- 2022 National Arts Merit Awards, Outstanding Dance Group
- 2019 Bulawayo Arts Awards, Best traditional dance ensemble
- 2018 Bulawayo Arts Awards, Best Dance production
- 2017 Bulawayo Arts Awards, Best traditional dance ensemble
- 2013 first prize Chibuku Neshamwari National Traditional Dance competition
- 2012 National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) Outstanding Dance Group
- 2011 second prize Chibuku Neshamwari National Traditional Dance competition
Umkhathi aims to achieve a united vision in theatre and dance with other artists locally, regionally and internationally. Umkhathi is affiliated to ASSITEJ IATA Zimbabwe, a member of ASSITEJ International.
