The fourth Diplomatic Charity Bazaar opens tomorrow, Saturday 17 October, at Old Georgians Sports Club in Mt Pleasant, with 26 embassies taking part and all proceeds earmarked for charitable projects across Zimbabwe.
Organised by the Diplomatic Spouses Association in Zimbabwe (DSA) under the theme “Together We Give, Together We Grow”, the bazaar runs from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Entry costs $5 for adults, while children under 12 and seniors above 75 get in free.
Embassies from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas will run stalls offering traditional food and drink, handicrafts, clothing, souvenirs, national costumes and folklore attire. Participating missions include Belarus, Botswana, China, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, Tanzania and the United States.
Nearly 100 additional exhibitors will join them, among them local businesses, vendors, social and non-governmental organisations, artists, craftspeople, and restaurant and cafe stalls.
The programme opens with a Flag Parade of Nations, in which embassy representatives display their national flags. This year’s edition puts particular emphasis on national dress, traditional dance, and carnival and festival heritage.
A full day of stage entertainment follows, featuring Dudu Manhenga, Mary Anibal, Wee Mhofu and the Bana Des As band, alongside young performers from the Zimbabwe College of Music and other local ensembles. Longtime bazaar emcee Zandile Ndlovu known as “the Zazalicious One”, will lead proceedings, joined by co-MC Tinashe Simudzirayi, who will guide the audience around the stalls.
Families are encouraged to attend. A kids’ corner will offer activities, including the popular children’s passports, while adults can sample food, shop and play the lottery.
Raffle tickets will be sold at the DSA stall. Prizes include Emirates flight tickets, Patrick Mavros jewellery, a three-seater sofa from Sofas Company, St Tropez accommodation vouchers and a handmade Pakistani double-knotted rug. Further prizes from embassies, sponsors and vendors include traditional art and craft, books, hotel stays, lodge breaks and restaurant meals.
The DSA thanked its sponsors. ARIPO and St Tropez Hotel are Platinum sponsors, while Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles, Delta Corporation, the Embassy of Russia and First Mutual Health are Gold sponsors. ZIMTRADE and Health Meal are Silver sponsors.
The 18 Bronze sponsors are Stanbic Bank, Health Point, Kefalos, Derrosa, Mambokadzi, African Crown, Kokota, Machuma Africa, the Embassy of Italy, the Embassy of the USA, Plaza Properties, Golden Palm Boutique Hotel, ZB Bank, Glens Removals & Storage, South African Airways, Satguru Travel & Tours, Jacaranda Holidays and Lee Cresta Hotel. Old Georgians Sports Club, Diplomat Media Group and Safeguard Security are Diamond partners.
All proceeds will fund charitable projects serving communities in need across Zimbabwe.
Founded in 1981, the Diplomatic Spouses’ Association Zimbabwe is a voluntary, non-profit, non-political, non-religious and self-supporting body open to spouses of accredited diplomatic mission members in Harare. It supports expatriate spouses, fosters social and cultural exchange between members and Zimbabweans, and raises funds for charitable institutions nationwide.
