The Goromonzi Organic Farmers Association (GOFA) together with Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre (FPC) successfully hosted the 2024 edition of the Traditional Food and Seeds Festival over the weekend.
Running under the theme, Celebrating the diversity and resilience of Zimbabwean foods, the festival was aimed at sharing and exploring the diverse traditional foods that Zimbabwe as a nation hold pride over and how resilient our very own traditional seeds are especially in the harsh climatic conditions.
A total of 30 exhibitors showcased their traditional seeds and foods ranging from Zviyo, Sesame, Svoboda, Nyimo, Nyemba, maheu, Rupiza, Nhopi, Mufushwa wemunyevhe newemunyemba and mutakura wenyemba newenyimo to mention just but a few.
Having such diverse seeds and foods was indeed a captivating experience for the Goromonzi residents who attended the festival, some couldn’t wait to buy as well as inquire for more information on how to cultivate or cook the seeds and foods respectively.
Speaking during his keynote address, FPC Director and the guest of honor Mr. Kudzanai Lewis Mashingaidze described the festival as an awareness campaign to the younger generation on the importance of traditional seeds and foods in our day to day lives.
“As we celebrate the diversity and resilience of our traditional seeds and foods, this must serve as a reminder as well as raising awareness on how these traditional seeds and foods play a crucial role in our day to day lives.
“Traditional seeds are often resilient to the harsh climatic conditions and can survive and feed the nation whilst traditional foods contribute immensely to our health,” Said Mashingaidze.
Nhetembo maestro, General Fire Collosso swept the farmers and participants off their feet with some of his best nhetembo delivering nothing, but the best of the Shona language rhymes, resonating more with the Zimbabwean tradition, on the other hand, the Soko Murehwa hitmaker, Rishon Murandu also delivered an amazing performance.
Exciting activities like modeling, drinking and eating competitions also kept the festival alive and fun with participants getting a chance to walk away with prizes.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Goromonzi farmer and Exhibition winner Mrs. Wadzanai Munyari was more than happy and grateful for taking home the first-place prize.
“I am so happy, I cannot begin to express my gratitude towards FPC for such an amazing first place prize that I am going home with, this year’s festival was indeed bigger and better, and words cannot fully explain it,” Said Wadzanai.
In his vote of thanks, Goromonzi Organic Farmers Association Secretary, Mr. Samson Chipikiri, expressed his utmost gratitude towards the commitment that the farmers, stakeholders and the public showed in making the festival a huge success.
Amongst those who attended were the local and traditional leaders, government officials, AGRITEX Officers as well as members of the media.
