Good Food and Seed Festival, a celebration of diversity and resilience of Zimbabwean foods

BY STEVE EPHRAEM

ZIMBABWEAN food and seed is set to be celebrated this week. Hosted by The Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe, annual celebration of Zimbabwe’s traditional seeds and foods shall take place on 13 September 2024 and ends on 14 September at the Harare Botanical Gardens.

In a statement, PELUM Zimbabwe Programmes Coordinator, Theophilus Mudzindiko said that the celebration helps in the resilience from the current El Nino induced drought.

“We are inviting all Zimbabweans to come and participate in this event, admission is free and the event will feature performances from Mbeu, Elysium Magma as well as traditional dance and drama.

“The days seek to create a space for celebrating both the diverse traditional seeds and foods of Zimbabwe, as well as sharing, exchange and trade of these seeds and foods. This is an event not to miss, come and unlearn and relearn about who we are as Zimbabweans,” he said.

“The event will therefore showcase the wide array of resilient Zimbabwean foods that did well despite the drought. This is why our theme this year is ‘Celebrating the diversity and resilience of Zimbabwean foods.’

“Come and experience why our forefathers stayed so healthy for so long and learn how you can also do the same. You will also get a chance to interact with other participants from at least 30 African countries from all walks of life and professions.

“Whether you are young or young at heart, we have you covered with a wide array of activities and engagements that can enhance your resilience, health, networks, knowledge and skills regarding traditional foods and the future,” he added.

Mudzindiko indicated that activities to be held include seed market, traditional gourmet food court, workshops and demonstrations and family-friendly activities,

PELUM Zimbabwe is part of the PELUM Regional Network. Established in Zimbabwe in 1995, PELUM is working to ensure that communities are self-organised and able to make choices towards an improved quality of life that is socially acceptable, economically viable and ecologically sustainable.