Harare is gearing up for a celebration of music, creativity, and culture like no other and this year, it’s all about remembering a legend. The thirteenth annual Let Them Schools Arts Festival will pay tribute to the late great Leonard Dembo, one of Zimbabwe’s most beloved musicians, when it takes over the Harare City Sports Centre on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 September 2025.
Dembo’s family will be guests of honor at the two-day event, which has become a must-attend date on Zimbabwe’s cultural calendar. The tribute promises to be an emotional highlight, with young performers reimagining some of Dembo’s greatest hits through drama, dance, and song.
“This year’s theme, Paivapo, Kwakukhona, Once Upon a Time , could not be more fitting,” said Chidochemoyo Musasiwa, Director of Let Them Trust. “We are looking back at where we come from, celebrating our icons like Dembo, and empowering young people to write their own stories.”
The Let Them Schools Arts Festival has been running for thirteen years, giving students from ECD, Primary, and High Schools a stage to showcase their creativity in drama, music, poetry, dance, and visual arts. Organizers have confirmed that registration is still open, and schools from outside Harare are encouraged to join, making this year’s edition truly national in flavor.
And the lineup is nothing short of star-studded. Guest artists include the Music Crossroads Band, Gweru-based singer Beke, gospel favorite Tatenda Mahachi, The Marasha Kids, Charles TJ, Afro-Ethnic Babe, and popular comedian Moojaya, who is sure to keep audiences in stitches.
The festival has grown bigger and bolder every year, and the 2025 edition feels extra special. Organizers have teamed up with the City of Harare to secure a new venue, brought in new staff with fresh ideas, and shifted the dates from July to September to capture the city’s sunny spring vibe.
“The number 13 doesn’t scare us , in fact, it’s our lucky charm this year,” Musasiwa laughed. “Despite the challenges we’ve faced, this festival is stronger than ever, and we can’t wait to see the magic these kids will bring to the stage.”
Parents, schools, and sponsors are encouraged to secure their spots early and be part of this unforgettable celebration of youth, creativity, and Zimbabwe’s musical heritage.
🎸 Did You Know? Leonard Dembo’s Legacy Lives On
* Leonard Dembo (1959–1996) is celebrated as one of Zimbabwe’s greatest sungura musicians.
* His hit song Chitekete is considered a national treasure — it was played at the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations and the Miss World pageant in Namibia the same year.
* The song was highly successful in Zimbabwe, selling over 100,000 copies in its first three months.
* Dembo’s music was known for its deep, poetic lyrics about love, hardship, and community.
* The Let Them Schools Arts Festival tribute will introduce a new generation to his timeless music and message.