Godwin Gumbo
Mangwe-The much-anticipated Sanzukwi Traditional Dishes, Seed Fair and Horticultural Exhibition, drew scores of attendees last week in Mangwe District’s Ward 6.
The event brought together farmers, ARDAS extension officers, traditional chefs and local leaders, showcasing rich indigenous culinary practices and agricultural knowledge.
The exhibition featured an array of hearty traditional dishes, with over 51 exhibitors competing for top honours. Star chef Samukelo Ncube from Matshongwani North, Ward 6, emerged as the overall winner, walking away with a pick, shovel and wheelbarrow.Ncube, also a community reporter for Radio Bukalanga, expressed her excitement after her win.
“I am overjoyed to have been the overall winner and now I have tools to call my own,” she said.
Her winning dish was hadza prepared with millet and a relish made from marula-flavored dried cowpea leaves.
Among the standout exhibitors was Mr Ndlovu from Sanzukwi, whose dish of hadza millet with pumpkin leaves in peanut butter sauce drew long queues. He joked that the dish was so popular and he ended up with nothing left to sell.
“The judges and everyone else loved my dish so much that I ended up with nothing to sell,” Ndlovu said.
The seed fair also proved to be a highlight of the event. Senior Village Head Lukuta described the fair as a success.
“Together with the extension officers, we were able to advise farmers on drought-tolerant crop varieties, aligning with the national goal of achieving total food security.” he said.
ARDAS Supervisor for Wards 5, 6, and 15, Mr Ndiweni emphasised the importance of promoting traditional grains suitable for semi-arid conditions and highlighted essential post-harvest practices for grain preservation.
The Sanzukwi Traditional Dishes, Seed Fair and Horticultural Exhibition has become a cornerstone event for promoting indigenous knowledge, fostering food security, and preserving Zimbabwe’s agricultural heritage.
