Nsambo Wathu Festival Brings Thousands Together to Celebrate Moatize’s Cultural Heritage
On 27 June, the city of Moatize hosted the inaugural Nsambo Wathu Cultural Festival, an initiative organised by Vulcan in partnership with the Moatize District Government and the Moatize Municipal Council.
The event was officiated by the Governor of Tete Province, Domingos Juliasse Viola, and brought together thousands of people at the Moatize Children’s Park to celebrate local music, dance, cuisine, and cultural traditions. The festival featured special performances by Puto Nelson, Mana Quina, DJ Hélder, Lawyers Júnior, Salvador Farmenga, and Permafra, as well as cultural performances by the invited groups Nyau de Nkondedzi, Utsi, and Nhanga. Visitors also had the opportunity to experience the region’s rich culinary heritage, including the traditional Kanhenhe from Mussacama.
A major highlight of the festival was the cultural competition involving 15 traditional groups, with nine representing the Njole category and six competing in the Mafue category. In the Njole competition, the Malabue group claimed first place, followed by Chithatha and Cateme Sede. In the Mafue category, the 1.º de Maio neighbourhood group emerged as the winner, followed by Malabue and Nhamitsatsi.
The winning groups received cash prizes of MZN 50,000, MZN 40,000, and MZN 30,000 for first, second, and third place, respectively. In addition, all 15 participating groups received a participation award of MZN 15,000 in recognition of their contribution to preserving and promoting local cultural traditions.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Tete Province highlighted that tourism and cultural festivals such as Nsambo Wathu play an important role in strengthening national unity, fostering pride in Mozambican identity, and promoting the province’s rich cultural heritage.
Through this initiative, implemented in partnership with the Moatize District Government and the Moatize Municipal Council, Vulcan reaffirms its commitment to preserving cultural heritage, promoting local identity, and supporting the sustainable development of the communities where it operates.
