Gift Mashoko

Acting Dean of African Diplomat, His Excellency Nacerdine Sai says Zimbabwe has rich culture diversity and its traditional foods are highly nutritional.

Addressing delegates at the official opening of the inaugural Zimbabwe Food and Culture Festival, which is a brain child of the First Lady, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, Mr Sai said food and culture are linked as they unite people from different cultural back grounds.

“Food and culture are linked as they make people mix, talk and share ideas. Where there are celebrations there is always the presence of food and dances, hence the need to celebrate their importance in our respective cultures. We also practise the same in Algeria where I come from and we have learnt a lot from this festival which we are going to import to Algeria.

“I was really impressed with the type of traditional foods, dances and artefacts that are being displayed by exhibitors. I have tasted many of the displayed foods and they were very delicious,” he said.

Mr Sai highlighted that on behalf of the African diplomats in Zimbabwe, he was really grateful for the invitation by the First lady. He hoped that the First Lady’s initiative will get the full support of the Government as it is exemplary not only to Zimbabwe, but the world over, adding that it will promote tourism which will make Zimbabwe the best in Africa in terms of Tourism.

Speaking at the same event, the First Lady highlighted that she takes pleasure in the festival as it has brought together different cultures from across the country to showcase different foods, dances and artefacts. She noted that the festival is the first of its kind and should continue, tasking the Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality to market the festival and make it an annual event.

The First Lady revealed that she had worked with Chiefs’ wives from across the country to make the festival a success. Same encouraged people to uphold their tradition urging them to eat traditional foods which she said were good for our health.

The First Lady said the festival is meant to compliment Government’s efforts so as to enhance community engagement and increase community awareness on cultural issues.

As the patron of the festival, the First lady is working hard for people to preserve and embrace their Zimbabwean culture bridging the gap between the old and the young generations. She is fighting cultural erosion and diffusion in the process uniting the nation.