Story by Providence Maraneli
THE Second Republic’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind was again demonstrated at the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s traditional cookout competition held in Makhulela area in Bulilima this Thursday, with scores of people taking part in the culinary competition.
Beyond the imaginary gloomy picture of poverty and despair painted by some sections of the media on the San People, lies a traditional system that takes one’s careful understanding to appreciate.
As part of the development phase of humanity, the San were known for being nomadic hunters and gatherers, and it is from this phase that they mastered the art of protecting wild animals and fruits.
These traditional knowledge systems have been passed from generation to generation as exhibited by Maxwell Moyo’s elephant biltong dishes and other preserved wild fruits that dominated the competition.
Beyond the ordinary, Moyo and other two other contestants are men who joined this year’s traditional culinary competition.
“It is our culture that when the father brings meat from a hunt, we cut it into pieces and sun-dry for three days, and after it has dried, we pack it. I was raised by my grandmother so I realised I can cook just like anyone and I said let me try,” a contestant said.
“As a person with a disability, I participated in this year’s competition, and I cooked the traditional dishes of the San culture,” another contestant said.
“I am delighted to be part of this competition. I am glad to be the winner of this competition. I took the notes from my mother and here I am,” another participant said.
The local leadership is convinced Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition dovetails with the Second Republic’s mantra of not leaving anyone and any place behind in terms of development.
“The choice of Makhulela as the other venue for the cookout programme in the province tells us that the First Lady is serious in terms of inclusive development. We are so grateful,” the Acting Director for Coordination in Matabeleland South, Mrs Sikhangele Ndlovu said.
“We are so grateful to the First Lady that she has this community at heart and having a cookout here is evidence enough that she loves these once marginalised people,” Provincial Officer in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Mrs Marjory Sikhundla said.
Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition, a brain child of the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa saw 20 contestants battling it out at Sabasi village in Makhulela.
“The 2025 competitions are slightly different in that our contestants at provincial level are competing in 4 categories but here there were two categories, the community, and people with disabilities. This is in line with the spirit of inclusivity,” the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Mrs Tariro Musonza said.
Two winners will join other contestants who will be drawn from other provinces for a final showdown in Gwanda set for May 25.
