Dudu Manhenga, Paivepo Arts Group and Tariro Mbira Ensemble to Headline Good Deeds Day African Regional Conference 2025

Acclaimed jazz vocalist Dudu Manhenga, alongside the Paivepo Arts Group and the Tariro Mbira Ensemble, is set to headline the Good Deeds Day African Regional Conference, scheduled to take place in Harare from June 24 to 25, 2025. The event, which celebrates community service and cultural diversity, will run under the theme “Inclusive Volunteerism for Equitable, Peaceful and Sustainable Development – Living No One and No Place Behind.”

Hosted at the Harare International Conference Centre, the gathering will bring together delegates from across Africa and beyond to spotlight volunteerism as a catalyst for sustainable development. The cultural lineup will showcase Zimbabwe’s vibrant artistic heritage through music and dance, creating an immersive experience for attendees.

Lucia Nkomo, the East and Southern African regional coordinator and country director of Good Deeds Day Zimbabwe, expressed the organisation’s commitment to promoting local culture and languages. She noted that preparations are well underway to present a rich cultural experience that includes music, gastronomy, and tourism.

“Diversification of language, love, kindness and smile is a language everybody understands,” said Nkomo. “Our June 24 evening program will include an awards ceremony and gastronomy tourism experience, followed by a city tour and shopping sprees on June 26.”

The regional conference will also explore the global impact of the Good Deeds Day movement, which began in 2007 through the vision of Israeli philanthropist Shari Arison. Since its adoption in Zimbabwe in 2016, the initiative has grown into a dynamic national force supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through volunteer efforts and community engagement.

Good Deeds Day Zimbabwe has implemented a wide range of impactful projects, including clean water access, sanitation infrastructure, youth empowerment through the creative arts, and the donation of essential resources such as books, furniture and food supplies. The organisation has also championed environmental awareness and climate change education, encouraging both the young and old to take active roles in protecting their communities.

Notably, the organisation is currently spearheading the refurbishment of community toilets in Sakubva’s Maonde suburb. So far, seven of the planned 18 facilities have been renovated, using donations of plumbing materials, tiles, lights, taps, and paint.

The cultural and creative industries have been a strong focus for the group, with ongoing support for projects like Rebuild Sakubva, a music and film collaboration led by DJ Touch and featuring renowned producers such as Peter “Cool Dude” Muparutsa and Amanda Ranganawa. The initiative also includes participation from artists with disabilities, spotlighted through the Paivepo Cultural Group, which champions inclusive performance arts.

Joseph Munemo, project coordinator for Good Deeds Day Zimbabwe, emphasised that cultural inclusion is central to the organisation’s mission. “Our work with differently abled musicians and artists not only enriches our programmes but also strengthens our message of inclusivity and community unity,” he said.

As the continent prepares to gather in Harare for the June conference, the fusion of volunteerism and artistic celebration promises to reaffirm Zimbabwe’s leadership in ethical development, cultural pride, and global solidarity through good deeds.