No Zimbabwean tribe is superior to the other, says Mohadi

Vice President Kembo Mohadi says Zimbabwe is dismantling colonial-era cultural hierarchies by promoting equal recognition of all communities as part of efforts to preserve the country's diverse heritage and strengthen national unity.

Mohadi made the remarks while addressing thousands of people at the second edition of the revived Lemba Cultural Annual Festival held at Mposi High School in Danga, Mberengwa, on Saturday.

He described the gathering as both a celebration of the Lemba people's rich heritage and a reaffirmation of the government's commitment to ensuring that all cultures receive equal recognition.

"Today we stand on this historic, vibrant and sacred soil of Mberengwa with a deep sense of humility, revolutionary pride and profound respect. We join the great Lemba people, the timeless custodians of an ancient sacred and fiercely guarded legacy," Mohadi said.

"It is not merely a ceremonial duty but a pilgrimage to the very wellspring of our African civilisation. We are erasing the colonial-era hierarchies of culture, replacing them with a revolutionary equity where no culture is superior to another and where we leave no one and no place behind."

The Vice President said communities such as the Lemba possess valuable indigenous knowledge that can contribute to national development if properly preserved and harnessed.

"Today is more than a cultural gathering. It is a celebration of identity, heritage, resilience and the invaluable contribution of the Lemba people to the history, civilisation and development of Zimbabwe and the Southern African region," he said.

He described heritage as a living foundation that connects communities to their ancestors while helping shape the country's future.

"Heritage is not a dead relic of a long-gone era; it is the living and breathing DNA of our national consciousness," Mohadi said.

He added that cultural traditions strengthen national identity and help communities withstand the pressures of globalisation while contributing to Zimbabwe's development aspirations.

The Vice President was accompanied by Minister of Sport, Arts, Recreation and Culture Anselem Sanyatwe, Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube, Chief Mposi, President Emmerson Mnangagwa's Special Adviser on Monitoring and Implementation of Government Programmes and Projects Dr Joram Gumbo, legislator Tsitsi Zhou, Chief Ngungumbane, government officials and other traditional leaders.

The Lemba community is mainly found in Mberengwa and other parts of the Midlands and Masvingo provinces, as well as neighbouring South Africa, where the group maintains strong cultural ties.

A delegation from South Africa joined local members representing 12 Lemba clans—Hamisi, Seremani, Madi, Sadiki, Mani, Haji, Sarifu, Nemanga, Bakari, Tovakare, Dumha and Hasani—for this year's celebrations.

Held under the theme "Our Heritage and Our Strength: Lemba People in United Zimbabwe," the festival marks the continued revival of an event that had not been held since 1972.

One of the organisers, Dr Takavafira Zhou, said the festival's revival had attracted widespread support from Lemba communities across Zimbabwe and South Africa.

"Prior to the revival of the annual celebrations last year, the last Lemba Cultural Festival was held many years ago. Much work has been invested and we are proud to say that this year's event was a resounding success, judging by the large number of people who travelled from all corners of the country and from South Africa," he said.

Chief Mposi said traditional leaders remained committed to preserving the Lemba people's cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations.