The second edition of the INQAMA Arts Festival brought culture, creativity and community together at Simbumbumbu Primary School in Chief Mathema, Gwanda District, Matabeleland South Province, on 28 and 29 August 2026.

Held under the theme “Reclaiming our Roots Shaping our Future,” the two-day festival provided a vibrant platform for communities to celebrate Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage while encouraging the preservation and intergenerational transmission of indigenous traditions.

The festival attracted approximately 3,000 people, comprising around 1,800 females and 1,200 males, with additional visitors attending throughout the event. The strong turnout reflected the enduring interest in cultural activities and the importance of creating spaces where communities can collectively celebrate their identity.

The event was attended by the Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon A. Nguluvhe, alongside Guest of Honour Chief Siphoso Dlodlo, provincial and district officials and other invited guests.

A major feature of the festival was its celebration of indigenous knowledge through exhibitions showcasing traditional foods, crafts and artworks. These displays offered visitors an opportunity to engage with cultural practices that have been passed down through generations, while also highlighting the creativity and skills that exist within local communities.

The festival’s performance programme added further energy to the celebrations, with appearances by Amatshitshi, community groups and school children. Their participation placed young people at the centre of the cultural programme, reinforcing the festival’s emphasis on ensuring that Zimbabwe’s traditions remain relevant to future generations.
Beyond entertainment, Inqama Arts Festival served as a platform for cultural education and community engagement.

The gathering demonstrated how arts and heritage can bring people together while creating opportunities for communities to reflect on their history, knowledge systems and creative identity.
For the young participants in particular, the festival provided an opportunity to experience culture beyond the classroom, through music, performance, food, visual art and traditional craftsmanship.
Their involvement underscored the importance of giving younger generations practical opportunities to learn, participate in and ultimately carry forward Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage.
With its focus on reclaiming the past while shaping the future, the 2026 Inqama Arts Festival positioned culture not simply as a reminder of where communities come from, but as an important part of how they envision and build their future.

In Matabeleland South, the festival’s second edition demonstrated the power of the arts to preserve identity, strengthen community connections and inspire a new generation to embrace its roots.