Civil servants converge in Gwanda for sports and arts festival

HUNDREDS of civil servants from across Zimbabwe have converged in Gwanda for the 2026 Inter-Ministerial Sports and Arts Festival, which got underway on Friday with a focus on promoting healthy lifestyles, teamwork and cultural diversity within the public service.

The week-long festival, running from September 11 to 18, has brought together employees from more than 40 Government ministries and departments for a programme featuring sports, arts and cultural activities.

Hosted by Matabeleland South under the theme "Healthy nation, productive workforce," the festival is aimed at giving civil servants an opportunity to interact outside their usual work environments while promoting physical fitness and mental well-being.

Matabeleland South Provincial Deputy Director in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Promise Dube, said the province was pleased with the strong turnout from participating ministries.

"The 2026 Inter-Ministerial Sports and Arts Festival is underway in Gwanda, and as a province, we feel honoured to have been selected to host this event. Civil servants have turned out in large numbers to take part in this festival," she said.

Dube said most teams had arrived ahead of the official start of competitions, with some participants reaching Gwanda as early as Tuesday for pre-camp preparations.

A wide range of sporting disciplines is being contested at various venues across the mining town.

Football matches are being played at Pelandaba Stadium, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic Old Site, St Christopher's Primary School, Mt Cazalet Primary School, ZPCS Grounds and ZRP New Camp Grounds.

Preliminary athletics events are taking place at Pelandaba Stadium, while netball teams are competing at Pelandaba Stadium, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic New Site and Gwanda Adventist Primary School.

Volleyball matches are being held at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic Old Site, Gwanda District Club and Gwanda High School, with tug-of-war competitions also taking place at Pelandaba Stadium.

Chess is being contested at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic New Site, while darts participants are competing for honours at Gwanda District Club.

The festival combines sporting competition with arts and cultural activities, providing civil servants with a platform to strengthen relationships, promote wellness and celebrate Zimbabwe's cultural diversity.