Antony Chawagarira
GWANDA — The 2026 Inter-Ministerial Sports and Arts Festival was officially opened in Gwanda this Wednesday afternoon, bringing together hundreds of civil servants from across Zimbabwe for a week-long programme combining sport, arts, culture, and social interaction.
The festival, which started on September 11 and will run until September 18, was officially opened by Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, who was represented at the ceremony by Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe.
The official ceremony was held at Phelandaba Stadium, with government employees from various ministries and departments converging to celebrate the role of sport and the arts in promoting healthy lifestyles and stronger working relationships within the public service.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Nguluvhe said the festival demonstrated the importance of creating opportunities for civil servants to maintain healthy lifestyles while strengthening teamwork.
“Sport brings people together, builds discipline and promotes a healthy lifestyle. When our public servants are physically and mentally well, they are better positioned to serve the nation effectively,” he said.
Held under the theme “Healthy Nation, Productive Workforce,” the festival emphasized physical fitness, mental wellbeing, and teamwork as important components of a productive workforce.
Minister Nguluvhe said the arts component had also added an important dimension to the event by allowing civil servants to showcase their talents and celebrate Zimbabwe’s diverse cultural heritage.
“Government employees are not only professionals in their respective fields; they also have talents in sport, music, fashion and other creative disciplines. This festival gives those talents an opportunity to shine while promoting our national culture,” he said.
The games brought together employees from different ministries and government departments, giving them an opportunity to compete against each other while strengthening interaction outside their normal working environments.
A wide range of sporting disciplines were contested, including football, athletics, volleyball, chess, darts, and tug-of-war.
The sporting programme was complemented by arts and cultural competitions, with participants showcasing their abilities through modelling, choir competitions, Nharire Yomusha performances, and the National Fabric Fashion Show.
One of the participants, Beauty Moyo, said the festival had provided civil servants with an opportunity to interact, exchange experiences and strengthen relationships beyond their normal workplace.
“Coming together through sport and the arts has allowed us to interact with colleagues from different ministries and provinces. It has been an exciting experience because we are not only competing, but also building friendships and encouraging one another to stay healthy,” she said.
Moyo said the arts and sporting activities also demonstrated that civil servants have talents that could contribute to a vibrant and productive workplace.
“These games remind us that we have a life beyond our offices. We have people who can sing, model, play sport and showcase our culture, and these talents deserve platforms such as this,” she said.
For Matabeleland South, hosting the national event provided an opportunity to showcase Gwanda and the wider province’s cultural heritage, hospitality, and unique identity to visitors from different parts of the country.
Minister Nguluvhe said the province was proud to host the festival and expose visitors to its cultural and tourism potential.
“Hosting this festival in Matabeleland South has given us an opportunity to showcase what our province has to offer. We are proud of our heritage, our people and our hospitality, and we welcome visitors from across Zimbabwe,” he said.
The gathering also generated social and economic activity in Gwanda as participants, officials and visitors interacted with local communities and businesses during the week.
The festival formed part of efforts to encourage wellness and team building among government employees, with sport and the arts providing platforms for relaxation, interaction, and talent development.
Through the combination of sporting competitions and cultural activities, the event brought together civil servants from different provinces and institutions under one platform while reinforcing the importance of a healthy and productive workforce.
