By MKHOKHELI ZIBENGWA
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is poised to inaugurate the 2025 Culture Month celebrations on May 22, 2025, at the Rusununguko Clinic Open Grounds in Chiredzi, Masvingo province.
This year's Culture Month is being held under the auspices of the theme "Celebrating Indigenous Voices", which exhorts Zimbabweans to valorize and promote their traditional languages, attire, cuisine, and arts as vital instruments for national identity, economic development, and social cohesion.
According to Agga Nyabinde, Spokesperson for the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), preparations for the national launch are now in an advanced stage.
"We are busily engaged in preparations for our national Culture Month Launch in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture. This year, we are delighted to have President Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa as our Guest of Honor."
Nyabinde further disclosed that the launch event will be followed by a music gala featuring performances by Khaya Arts, Sandra Ndebele, Freeman HKD, Mark Ngwazi, and various arts ensembles.
The launch of Culture Month 2025 is a momentous occasion that underscores the significance of arts and culture in Zimbabwean society. It is anticipated to attract a large audience and provide a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and celebration.
Provincial launches and celebrations will be held throughout the country, with the first provincial launch event scheduled to take place in Bulawayo on May 23 at Lobengula Hall.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Bulawayo Culture Month Provincial Launch, Cleopatra Dube, Bulawayo Provincial Manager of the NACZ, stated,
"All preparations are proceeding well, and we are gearing up for the June event, which will also coincide with the Bulawayo Arts Festival this year."
Dube added, "The public can expect interactions with Bulawayo creatives, various exhibitions, and a day of cultural expression that showcases the essence of Bulawayo as a metropolitan city."
Through these celebrations, the government aims to promote Zimbabwe's cultural identity, unity, and diversity, while also highlighting the importance of preserving indigenous languages and cultural practices.
