Zimpapers Logo

Maheta Kuhleva cultural group from South Africa in action at Great Limpopo Cultural Fair at Mhlanguleni,Chiredzi during the 2017 Great Limpopo Cultural

Walter Mswazie, Showbiz Correspondent
THE Great Limpopo Cultural Trade Fair held over the weekend at Mhlanguleni Cultural Centre, about 30 km south east of Chiredzi lived up to its billing with delegates leaving the event satisfied.

The coordinator of the event who is also Centre for Cultural Initiative founder Herbert Phikela said the fifth edition of the annual fair had all the ingredients of a regional cultural trade fair which saw a variety of Chitsonga traditional wares on exhibition.

The fair was held under the theme; “The Role of Culture in Food Security and Sustainable Community Livelihoods”

Phikela said the fair managed to bring together Vatsonga cultural groups from three countries; South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe which also provided entertainment much to the excitement of the appreciative crowd.

The Ministry of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage permanent secretary George Magosvongwe was in attendance and gave a keynote address on behalf of Minister Abednico Ncube who could not attend due to other commitments.

He said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s curriculum development unit gave a presentation on the introduction of a revised curriculum in schools that promotes cultural diversity through promotion of 16 official languages in the country.

“The 2017 Great Limpopo Cultural Trade Fair lived up to its billing. We had an opportunity of having a social intercourse of how culture can promote trade especially among Vatsonga groups that are found along the Great Limpopo River. We had traditional dances from Mozambique and our own Chiredzi cultural group from Chief Gudo’s area,” said Phikela.