The 13th edition of the Let Them Trust Annual Schools Arts Festival burst into life at the City Sports Centre on September 19 and 20, with Acting Secretary for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Dr. E. Chidhakwa, delivering an impassioned keynote address that placed young Zimbabwean talent at the heart of cultural preservation and national development.
Running under the theme “Paivapo / Kwakukhona / Once Upon a Time, the festival celebrated Zimbabwe’s oral traditions while paying homage to the late music legend Leonard Dembo. Dr. Chidhakwa described the event as a gathering of schools a d a living platform for shaping Zimbabwe’s future.
“This festival is not merely an event; it is a living, breathing tapestry of our nation’s soul,” she said. “When you pick up that brush, when you step onto that stage, when you play that note, know that you are not just creating art. You are building Zimbabwe.”
She emphasized the Ministry’s threefold mission: to nurture and develop talent, preserve and promote cultural heritage, and build a cohesive nation. Linking creativity to the country’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), Dr. Chidhakwa underlined how artistic expression fosters innovation, tourism, social cohesion, and human capital development.
Addressing the challenges of the digital era, she urged students to shun destructive habits such as drug and substance abuse.
“Guard your hearts, minds, and bodies jealously as this is your first God-given wealth,” she warned.
Festival performances reflected energy, imagination, and inclusivity, with schools and special institutions showcasing poetry, drama, dance, music, and visual arts. Surprises marked the awards ceremony, with House of Talents scooping the coveted Best Overall 2025 Award
From toddlers like three-year-old guest performer Teeyah Marasha to seasoned school choirs, the festival reinforced its reputation as a cradle for artistic excellence.
As the event ended, Dr. Chidhakwa’s call to “celebrate fearlessly, connect deeply, and imagine boundlessly” echoed as both a challenge and an inspiration to Zimbabwe’s youth, ensuring that art remains not only a form of expression but also a powerful engine for the nation’s future.
📌 Festival Highlights & Key Winners
Best Overall 2025 Award – House of Talents
Best Overall ECD – Silver Lake ECD
Best Poetry (Primary) – School of Excellence
Best Traditional Dance (Primary) – St Martin’s Convent Primary
Best Musical Arts (Secondary) – Mabelreign Girls High
Best Spirit Award– Liebenberg High School
Best Visual Arts (Secondary) – Rukudzo
Best Individual Talent – Sean Tinotenda Mabhiza
Special Schools Participation – Tinokwirira Special School, Vimbainashe Learning Institute
Youngest Guest Performer – Three-year-old Teeyah
