By Ziyah News Network
THE Tshitaudze Heritage Festival is set to strengthen cultural ties between Zimbabwe and South Africa when communities, traditional leaders, artists and institutions from the two countries converge at Tshitaudze Cultural Village from September 25 to 27.
The three-day festival, being held under the guidance of Chief Tshitaudze in Mpande, Beitbridge District, is expected to attract at least 2 000 people, according to the organising committee.
Among the expected participants from South Africa are members of the Ndebele Kingdom family, a team from the University of Venda and representatives from Makhado Municipality in Limpopo Province.
The festival is also expected to bring together traditional leaders, government officials, schoolchildren, artists, community groups and exhibitors, providing a platform for communities on both sides of the border to showcase and share their cultural heritage.
“Preparations for this year’s festival are at an advanced stage,” the organising committee said in a statement issued yesterday.
The committee said an update meeting held on Wednesday at the District Development Coordinator’s boardroom received reports from all sub-committees, with work continuing on the venue, transport, security, catering and exhibitions.
The cultural focus of the festival is already visible at the venue, where cultural huts have been painted in Venda, Shangani and Sotho colours to represent communities under Chief Tshitaudze.
The programme will feature cultural performances involving groups from the seven headmanships under Chief Tshitaudze, while 12 primary schools, nine secondary schools, three community groups and more than 20 artists have confirmed participation.
The cross-border dimension of the festival is further reflected in the participation of institutions from South Africa alongside Zimbabwean government departments, schools and community organisations.
The festival will also provide opportunities for businesses and organisations to showcase their products and services, with more than 10 exhibitors already registered.
The organising committee has invited ministries, departments and agencies, small and medium enterprises and private companies to participate in the exhibition.
Beyond cultural activities, the festival will include awareness and health initiatives.
The International Organization for Migration has pledged support for awareness programmes and will provide mobile clinics at Makhado on September 25 and at Tshitaudze Cultural Village on September 26 and 27.
Transport arrangements are also being finalised, with buses secured from Sekuru Ndife, Mbedzi Tours and Zezani High School. Each of the seven headmen is expected to mobilise 200 people.
Security will be led by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, supported by 35 ex-servicemen drawn from the seven headmen, while 55 ushers will assist with crowd management, protocol and parking.
The festival organising committee has appealed to businesses, government departments and well-wishers to support outstanding transport, catering and infrastructure requirements.
With cultural groups, schools and institutions from both sides of the Zimbabwe-South Africa border expected to participate, the festival is positioning Tshitaudze Cultural Village as a meeting point for communities seeking to celebrate their shared heritage and strengthen cultural connections.