The Honourable Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland South Province, Hon. Albert Nguluvhe, today officiated as the Guest of Honour at the Gwanda Cultural Festival, held at the Jahunda Culture Centre under the theme, "Our Culture, Our Economy: Bridging Heritage and Prosperity Across the Trans-Limpopo Region."
The festival brought together government officials, traditional and civic leaders, cultural practitioners, development partners and an international delegation from Makhado Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Among those in attendance were the Mayor of Gwanda Municipality, Councillor T. Moyo, the Deputy Mayor, members of the Joint Operations Committee (JOC), the Rural District Development Committee (RDDC), the Provincial Development Committee (PDC), and other stakeholders.
The event celebrated the shared cultural heritage of communities within the Trans-Limpopo region while promoting culture as a catalyst for economic growth, tourism development and regional integration.
In his keynote address, Hon. Nguluvhe said the festival was more than a cultural celebration, describing it as a platform that demonstrates how Zimbabwe's rich cultural heritage can be transformed into a productive economic asset that improves the livelihoods of communities.
The Minister underscored that culture is central to Zimbabwe's identity and an important contributor to national development. He noted that artists, craftspeople, performers and storytellers are key players in the country's economy whose creativity contributes to employment creation, innovation and industrialisation in line with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
Hon. Nguluvhe applauded Gwanda Municipality for successfully translating the vision of regional cultural cooperation into action by bringing together participants from Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province and South Africa's Limpopo Province.
He described the festival as a practical demonstration of the Trans-Limpopo Spatial Development Framework and an important vehicle for strengthening cross-border cooperation through culture, tourism and trade.
Reaffirming that Zimbabwe is Open for Business, the Minister encouraged communities to commercialise traditional music, dance, crafts and other indigenous knowledge systems, turning cultural heritage into viable enterprises that promote tourism, attract investment and improve household incomes.
Discussions during the festival highlighted the growing recognition of culture as a strategic driver of sustainable development rather than merely a reflection of the past. Participants also expressed concern over the gradual erosion of cultural values due to social challenges such as early child marriages and the weakening of traditional moral standards, calling for deliberate efforts to preserve and pass cultural values to future generations.
The gathering further resolved to broaden participation in future editions of the festival by inviting cultural groups from all provinces of Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries to strengthen national unity, regional integration and cultural exchange.
The Gwanda Cultural Festival reaffirmed Matabeleland South Province's commitment to preserving cultural heritage while leveraging it to promote entrepreneurship, investment, tourism and inclusive socio-economic development across the Trans-Limpopo Region.