Organisers of the annual King Mzilikazi Day commemorations have renewed their call for the event to be declared a national holiday.
They argue that the celebrations have outgrown their regional cultural roots to become an international heritage festival capable of promoting tourism, preserving history, and fostering national unity.
This year's commemorations, scheduled for September 4 and 5, are expected to attract record crowds, with attendance projected to double from approximately 12 000 last year to more than 20 000.
Several royal delegations from across the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) are also expected to attend what organisers describe as the biggest edition of the event to date.
King Bulelani's spokesperson, Bornman Khumalo, said the rising profile of the commemorations underscored the need for greater national recognition.
"We want the event to be declared a holiday and to attract international visitors. We were surprised that last year we had people coming from as far as Japan," Khumalo said.
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King Mzilikazi Day honours King Mzilikazi kaMatshobana, the founder of the Ndebele nation, celebrating his legacy as a nation-builder whose leadership united diverse communities into what became the Ndebele Kingdom.
The annual commemorations, held at the historic Mhlahlandlela area outside Bulawayo, have grown into one of the country's largest cultural heritage events, drawing traditional leaders, cultural groups, government officials, the diaspora, and international visitors.
This year's programme will commence onSeptember 4 with a Youth Day, followed by the main commemorations on September 5.
Participants are expected to gather at the City Hall bus parking area in Bulawayo at 8 am before travelling to the venue.
Khumalo said organisers were deliberately broadening participation to reflect King Mzilikazi's vision of unity.
"This year we want people from different tribes to participate because King Mzilikazi was a unifier," he said.
"That is the image we want to portray. The message is loud and clear: We can live together, respecting one another in our diversity."
He encouraged people from all cultural backgrounds, including Xhosa, Kalanga, Tonga, Venda, Tswana, and Nguni communities, to attend in their traditional attire.
"We want everyone to feel part of this celebration because it is about preserving our shared heritage while embracing the diversity that defines us as a nation," Khumalo said.
According to organisers, the commemorations have experienced remarkable growth over the years.
"Attendance has grown very much. Last year's estimates were around 12 000 people and this year we should double that," he said.
Organisers believe the increasing regional and international interest presents an opportunity to position Bulawayo as a leading cultural tourism destination while elevating King Mzilikazi Day into a flagship heritage event on the regional calendar.
Khumalo appealed to Zimbabweans of all ages to attend the commemorations, saying they would showcase not only the legacy of King Mzilikazi but also the values of unity, peace, and cultural pride that he championed.
"We appeal to everyone, old and young, to make it a point not to miss this huge event," he said.
This year's commemorations are expected to feature traditional ceremonies, cultural performances, exhibitions, and the participation of royal families from across the region, further cementing King Mzilikazi Day's growing significance as one of Zimbabwe's premier cultural heritage events.