Mokoomba to Headline Zimbabwe Francophone Week 2026 in Harare
Revered Tonga music ensemble, Mokoomba, will take the stage this Saturday at Alliance Française in Harare as part of the 2026 Zimbabwe Francophone Week, highlighting the group’s growing international appeal. The annual multicultural festival, which began on March 7 and continues until March 22, celebrates collaboration, cultural exchange, and the French language in Zimbabwe. The event has become a permanent fixture on the local showbiz calendar, featuring music, dance, spoken word, comedy, film, and visual arts. Mokoomba, Zimbabwe’s most widely touring group, has performed overseas numerous times, and their participation this year includes a collaboration with French accordionist Arthur Bacon and local mbira player Nancy “Nasibo” Mutize. The ensemble’s appearance underscores the festival’s aim of fostering meaningful cultural dialogue between Zimbabwe and the Francophone world.
Mokoomba spokesperson Marcus Gora expressed excitement ahead of their performance, calling it a milestone for the group. “This is our first time performing at the Francophone Week, and expectations are high,” he said, emphasizing the collaborative element with Arthur Bacon as central to the event’s cultural exchange objectives. The group last performed in France two years ago, and Gora highlighted the significance of returning to collaborate with a French artist on home soil. Mokoomba has spent much of 2026 performing at private events, making this public appearance an important moment for both the ensemble and their fans. The team has been holding intensive rehearsals to ensure a polished and engaging performance that reflects their international experience and artistic versatility.
The Zimbabwe Francophone Week also emphasizes comedy, with a special event on March 19 bringing together Swiss comedians Vincent Kucholl and Vincent Veillon and local talents Comrade Fatso (Sam Munro) and Sharon Chideu, known as Magi. The collaboration highlights the festival’s broader mission to showcase cultural diversity through humour, while special guests are expected to add further excitement. Organizers have emphasized the therapeutic and unifying power of comedy, using it to engage audiences across language and cultural barriers. By combining music, comedy, film, and culinary arts, the festival provides a comprehensive celebration of global and local Francophone cultures.
Film screenings have been a major component of the festival, running from March 7 to March 20, with English subtitles included to ensure accessibility for non-French-speaking attendees. Featured productions include “Nha Fala,” a musical about courage and tradition; the Romanian documentary comedy “Nasty”; the Canadian comedy “Seducing Doctor Lewis” (La Grande Séduction); and the Belgian fiction “The Art of Nothing” (L’art d’être heureux). These screenings demonstrate the festival’s commitment to offering diverse cinematic experiences while bridging language barriers. Audiences have the opportunity to engage with international narratives that resonate with themes of identity, creativity, and community.
The festival will close on March 22 with a French song contest and a grand Francophone Food Buffet, celebrating culinary diversity and local artistry. By incorporating music, comedy, film, and cuisine, the Zimbabwe Francophone Week strengthens cultural ties between Zimbabwe and the Francophone world while promoting artistic exchange and collaboration. Mokoomba’s headline performance at Alliance Française highlights the ensemble’s growing stature as a cultural ambassador, reflecting the festival’s wider mission of connecting local talent with global audiences. This year’s celebrations reaffirm the importance of cross-cultural engagement and the power of the arts to unite communities.
