Award-WINNING creatives, musicians and theatre performers are set to headline the Women in Farming and Entrepreneurship (WIFE) Food For Life Festival on May 30 at David Livingstone Primary School in Harare, bringing together culture, food, entrepreneurship and climate awareness.
The festival will be held under the theme, From Soil to Plate: Women Powering Sustainable Food Systems.
The event will feature internationally-acclaimed Hwamanda Dance Troupe, European Union Green Ambassador and mbira musician Mary Anibal, as well as Little Jason Mphepo Theatre, whose performances are expected to combine entertainment with powerful messages on climate resilience, women empowerment and food security.
WIFE founder and director Amanda Munyoro said the festival continued to grow to a unique platform that connects agriculture, culture and community development.
She noted that lessons from previous editions highlighted how food and cultural identity are closely linked through music, dance and storytelling.
Little Jason Mphepo Theatre founder Jasen Mphepo said theatre played a critical role in creating dialogue around climate change, agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.
He said the production prepared for the festival explored the experiences of women in agriculture as they navigate environmental challenges and adapted through innovation and resilience.
“The performance highlights women’s determination in the face of climate change while showcasing sustainable farming solutions that empower communities,” Mphepo said .
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“Audiences should expect thought-provoking storytelling that sparks conversations around food security, climate action and community transformation.”
Munyoro, Hwamanda Dance Troupe director Linnot Laimbo and theatre practitioner Mphepo encouraged farmers, families and communities to attend the festival, describing it as a celebration of Zimbabwean identity, innovation and resilience.
They said the event offered a rare opportunity for people to experience food, farming, entrepreneurship and performing arts on one platform while promoting sustainable livelihoods, cultural pride and climate awareness.
The globally-recognised Hwamanda Dance Troupe is expected to deliver one of the festival’s major highlights through a showcase of Zimbabwean traditional music and dance.
Founded in 1998, the multi-award-winning ensemble recently won top honours at the NasFest Cultural Youth Festival in Lilongwe, Malawi, outperforming groups from several African countries.
Laimbo said the troupe’s performances were rooted in preserving Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage while promoting youth development, gender inclusivity and community empowerment.
“Our performances combine traditional dance, poetry and historical storytelling to celebrate Zimbabwean heritage while educating audiences,” he said.
Hwamanda Dance Troupe will also showcase the energetic chinyambera dance, which has been selected as the theme dance for the National Primary School Heads’ Jikinya Dance Festival.
The performance is expected to celebrate Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage while inspiring younger generations to preserve traditional dance forms.
According to Laimbo, promoting indigenous dances strengthens cultural identity, encourages youth participation in positive activities and preserves national heritage for future generations.
The troupe specialises in traditional dances including muchongoyo, mbakumba, dinhe, madanhi and Jerusalema (mbende), a Unesco-recognised intangible cultural heritage practice.
Meanwhile, Anibal, popularly known for the songs Gogoride and Bhonzo Muderere, is expected to bring an energetic musical performance ahead of her forthcoming European tour.
Her participation aligns with her advocacy work on women empowerment and climate change awareness.
The WIFE Food for Life Festival will bring together exhibitors, farmers, entrepreneurs, artists and communities in a celebration of sustainable food systems, culture and innovation.
