Zimbabwe, Nembudziya, one of the four constituencies of Gokwe North alongside Gumunyu, Kabuyuni, and Chireya experience a temperature range of 14°C to 27°C in June, with an average humidity of 51%. The area is currently undergoing significant infrastructure development, much of which was accelerated ahead of the 45th Independence Day celebrations. The road connecting Kadoma, Sanyati, and Nembudziya is presently under rehabilitation.

Another infrastructure project underway is the Shangwe Village Culture Centre, which is located next to the National Monuments Heroes Acre. It stretches along the gravel road linking Mtora Stands Shops, the District Government Complex, and Gokwe District Hospital. A large building with a red roof stands within a fenced area, and two round huts yet to be thatched, are intended to represent the nhanga and gota, the girls’ and boys’ rooms respectively. I had the privilege of learning more about the construction progress from Mr. Reward Shockson, the Provincial Arts and Culture Administrative Officer for the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture in Midlands Province.

L.G: What is the main purpose of the Shangwe Culture Village Centre?
R.S: Shangwe Culture Village Centre is one of the legacy projects whose construction began alongside several other projects in preparation for the Independence Day commemorations. Although the idea had been earmarked for future plans, this became an opportunity to add value to the community. The primary purpose of the Centre is to promote local minority cultures that are at risk of extinction. It aims to preserve the values and social practices of these local communities.

L.G: Why Gokwe Nembudziya?
R.S: The Midlands Province deliberately chose Gokwe for this initiative, through the Shangwe Culture Village Centre, which will serve as a state-of-the-art facility. It will model how to support local communities by restoring their cultures, values, and practices. The Centre is situated centrally to enhance accessibility and community engagement. Its focus will include promoting the Shangwe culture, indigenous languages, social customs, and even traditional methods of preparing food and raising children. On the nurturing of children, we are borrowing from the First Lady’s Nhanga-Gota initiative, which is to be promoted in various communities.

L.G: May you please share more details on the structures of the Village Centre?
R.S: When you look at the Shangwe Culture Village Centre, you will notice that it features many structures that replicate a traditional Shangwe homestead. For instance, there is the sikiro (bedroom), bikiro (kitchen), gota (boys’ room), nhanga (girls’ room), hozi or dura (granary), and chirugu chehuku (chicken run). There will also be kraals for goats and cattle, and a protective fence around the property. While designs may vary, their functions remain similar. Additional facilities at the Centre will include an administration block with offices, a storeroom, ablution facilities, and conference rooms for meetings and workshops. A large gazebo is planned to host exhibitions and artist performances on an entertainment stage. The Centre is designed to help everyone appreciate local cultures, especially that of the Shangwe people. Despite its name, Shangwe Village Culture Centre, the Centre will also showcase other cultural practices and products in its gallery exhibitions.

L.G: You mentioned how the structures reflect Shangwe homestead designs, but I see some modern elements. Can you explain?
R.S: The structures are built with bricks for sustainability and long-term durability. It is important for the Centre to stand for decades. However, to maintain cultural authenticity, we will produce documentaries showing actual homesteads and traditional settings. These will be available on TV screens in the Centre’s rooms. One of the goals is to promote community tourism and provide a research hub for educational institutions and scholars to study these cultural exhibitions. The local education system encourages students to learn about heritage and cultural practices. Therefore, the Shangwe Village Culture Centre is well-positioned to provide appreciation and understanding of Zimbabwe’s diverse cultures.

L.G: What other activities do you envision taking place at the Centre?
R.S: The most important function of the Centre is to host festivals. Its establishment will end the long search for suitable venues to host cultural events in Gokwe District. According to our concept note, a variety of activities have been planned, including the Chiefs’ poetry slam, rainmaking ceremonies, harvest celebrations, artist performances, and commemorations during Culture Month, among others. There will be a structured calendar of events involving Chiefs, the community, government agencies, and, most importantly, the Ministry and Department of Arts and Culture, which will drive all programs throughout the year. We aim for the Centre to host more than four or five major festivals annually. It is also important to emphasize that the Village Culture Centre aims to encourage a sense of value and recognition among the local community by demonstrating the government’s commitment through resource allocation. It was by design that this first cultural centre was established in Gokwe, incorporating the principles of decentralization and devolution. It also reflects the spirit of Vision 2030, leaving no one and no place behind.

L.G: I enjoy traditional foods the most. Will Shangwe Village Culture Centre offer such a facility to locals for a fee?
R.S: Most definitely but we will not focus only on the end product. The remaining 2,000 sqm of land will be set aside for demonstration plots where indigenous crops and trees will be planted. Traditional foods will be introduced due to their nutritional value. When ministries, departments, or agencies visit the Centre, they will easily identify various plants from these demo plots. This setup will support programs and initiatives aligned with the Centre’s core values.

The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, will officiate the opening of the Centre. Her Nhanga-Gota initiative will work hand in hand with the Shangwe Village Culture Centre. This homestead replica, dedicated to promoting indigenous cultures and traditional gastronomy will assist the community through research and knowledge-sharing.

Mr. Shockson emphasized the importance of capturing indigenous knowledge systems by documenting valuable herbs and practices. Gathering accurate information from certified sources will be vital to the Centre’s efficiency. The Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture supports the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, which aim to preserve and promote diverse global cultural traditions. Through documentation and restoration of indigenous spaces, the Ministry is actively implementing these efforts.

These initiatives will raise awareness among Zimbabweans and the global public about the cultural treasures found across districts, provinces, and the country at large. Shangwe Village Culture Centre will join the growing list of tourist attractions in Gokwe, such as Gandavaroyi Falls, Gombaremhere, Chireya Hot Springs, Bare Hot Springs, Sikhombela Detention Camps, and Mabura Caves near Sikhombela, among many others. It will add value to and complement existing sites, promoting community tourism in the region.

The community eagerly awaits the final brick to be laid at the Shangwe Village Culture Centre. The project has reignited the passion of both young and seasoned artists, who now anticipate a dedicated space to express and showcase their creativity. The creative artist in me waits patiently for the official opening, as the construction nears completion.