Hundreds of civil servants from Government ministries and departments gathered in Gwanda, Matabeleland South, for the 2026 Inter-Ministerial Sports and Arts Festival, held under the theme “Healthy Nation, Productive Workforce.”
The annual festival, which ran from September 11 to 18, brought together Government employees from across the country to take part in sporting, arts and cultural activities.
The event aimed to promote physical fitness, mental wellness, teamwork and interaction among civil servants while also providing a platform for participants to showcase their different abilities and talents.
The sporting competitions included soccer, netball, volleyball, athletics, tug-of-war, chess and darts.Athletics activities began on September 11 with road races covering 5km, 10km and 21km distances. A walkathon was also held as part of the activities promoting physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.
Due to the large number of teams that registered for the festival, competitions were spread across several venues in Gwanda.These included Pelandaba Stadium, St Christopher’s Primary School, ZPCS Grounds, ZRP New Camp Grounds, Gwanda High School and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic’s old and new sites.
The festival also moved beyond sport to celebrate the creative talents of civil servants.On September 16, participants took part in choir competitions, a fashion show and modelling, giving civil servants an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities outside their normal office duties.
The arts activities highlighted the festival’s broader focus on wellness, teamwork and cultural expression, with participants showing that their skills extend beyond their professional responsibilities.
The festival also featured other cultural activities, including traditional performances and the National Fabric Fashion Show.
The official opening and closing ceremony was held at Pelandaba Stadium on September 16. Vice-President Kembo Mohadi was represented at the ceremony by the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe. In his speech, Mohadi said a healthy and resilient public service was important to Zimbabwe’s development, with physical fitness, mental well-being and workplace solidarity contributing to a productive workforce.
At the end of the competitions, the Ministry of Agriculture emerged as the leading medal winner with 23 medals.The Ministry of Health and Child Care finished second, while the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education took third place.
The festival provided civil servants with an opportunity to compete, interact and display their sporting and artistic abilities while promoting the importance of maintaining a healthy workforce.
