The Matabeleland Cultural Awards Trust is set to host the much-anticipated Umthwentwe International Cultural Expo on July 11, 2026, at the White City’s Youth Arena in Bulawayo.
The bi-annual cultural extravaganza will bring together diverse cultural stakeholders from across Matabeleland under the theme: Celebrating Heritage, Strengthening Our Roots.
Matabeleland Cultural Awards Trust chief executive, Philani Ncube, said this year’s expo promises vibrant cultural expressions while championing the preservation of indigenous heritage.
“The Umthwentwe International Cultural Expo is a platform that celebrates our culture, traditions, and identity as the people of Matabeleland,” Ncube said.
“Every year we continue to grow and bring together different cultural players to strengthen and preserve our heritage.”
Headlining the event will be popular imbube group Ihawu Lesizwe and the Thandanani Women Ensemble, both set to deliver captivating traditional musical performances that promise to electrify the audience.
Beyond music, the expo will be a feast of cultural diversity, featuring craftsmen, local language authors, rural hut decorators, poets, and traditional dance groups from primary schools across the region, offering something for everyone.
Ncube urged the public to turn out in numbers, emphasising that the expo provides a valuable opportunity for communities to reconnect with their roots and celebrate local talent.
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He also appealed to local music promoters to shift their focus homeward.
“We would like to encourage local music promoters to stop bringing South African musicians to Matabeleland at this time, considering the situation currently unfolding in South Africa,” Ncube said.
“We have a lot of local talent and cultural activities that deserve support.”
The cultural expo has steadily grown into one of Bulawayo’s standout annual cultural gatherings, playing a vital role in promoting indigenous arts, languages, and traditions while providing a platform for emerging and established cultural practitioners.
