The Budula Festival has emerged as a catalyst for heritage tourism development in Chiredzi, spurring plans for a Tsonga cultural village and museum aimed at turning cultural heritage into a driver of rural economic transformation.
The project, being explored in partnership with Midlands State University, is expected to formalise cultural preservation efforts and expand tourism activities beyond seasonal events.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi said the initiative demonstrates how culture can be transformed into a viable economic sector.
“Culture is no longer just for display; it must be a driver of economic empowerment. Communities must be at the centre of tourism development and must directly benefit from their heritage,” she said.
She said Government was prioritising heritage-based tourism under Vision 2030, with a focus on inclusivity and rural development.
“We are working to ensure that no community and no place is left behind. Tourism must speak to the realities of our people and create tangible livelihoods,” she said.
The Budula Festival, which showcases Tsonga dance, music, gastronomy and indigenous knowledge systems, has become a growing platform for community tourism innovation in the Lowveld.
The initiative has already led to the establishment of 48 tourism homesteads in Chiredzi, where visitors are hosted in traditional settings.
Minister Rwodzi said the tourism homestead model is reshaping rural economies by turning cultural heritage into a source of income.
The Minister encouraged communities to expand cultural entrepreneurship, particularly in indigenous cuisine and traditional performances, saying Zimbabwe’s culture could compete on global tourism markets if properly packaged.
She also paid tribute to First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for promoting Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage and indigenous gastronomy, saying her initiatives have elevated the country’s cultural identity on international platforms.
In a related development, the Chibhelani Dance troupe has been invited to perform at the 2026 Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, where Masvingo Province will host the event for the first time.
The 2026 expo, scheduled for September 9–12 in Masvingo, will showcase major attractions including Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site, Gonarezhou National Park and Lake Mutirikwi, alongside emerging community tourism projects.
The Budula Festival is being integrated into Zimbabwe’s Heritage-Based Tourism Strategy under Vision 2030, positioning culture as a tool for rural economic transformation.
“Tourism is now about communities telling their own stories and benefiting from them,” said Minister Rwodzi.
