MAMA’S KITCHEN HUT REPORT: FIRST LADY’S NATIONAL COOKOUT COMPETITION 2026 EVENT: 2026 National Traditional Cookout Competition Finals DATE: Monday 25 May 2026 – Africa Day VENUE: Mbizo Stadium, Kwekwe, Midlands Province GUEST OF HONOUR: Her Excellency Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, First Lady of Zimbabwe COVERAGE: Mama’s Kitchen Hut + GloTv Crew on the ground 1. WINNERS & PRIZES 126 contestants from all 10 provinces competed across 5 categories. Winners received CASH PRIZES, FOUR-PLATE GAS STOVES, GAS CYLINDERS AND HAMPERS. 2026 CATEGORY WINNERS: 1. COMMUNITY CATEGORY: Mrs Edith Takasimba from Harare - overall winner 2. CHURCHES CATEGORY: Sibani Mukoyi from United Methodist Church 3. YOUTH CATEGORY: Enia Choto from Johanne Masowe eChishanu 4. STUDENTS CATEGORY: Tinotenda Mushaninga from Chinhoyi University of Technology 5. PROFESSIONAL CHEFS: Naume Chisango from Elephant Hills Hotel 6. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES - CHURCH: Anesu Munangarwa from Christ Embassy Church 7. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES - COMMUNITY: Esina Hlabate from Manicaland GRAND PRIZE MOMENT: Winner received $2000.00 CASH, TROPHY, AND CERTIFICATE from the First Lady 2. EVENT HIGHLIGHTS - CULTURAL EXCHANGE: South Korean nationals performed "Iva Gamba" dressed in Zimbabwe’s NATIONAL FABRIC - HERITAGE FLAVOURS: Traditional dishes sampled included HARURWA, MADORA, BILTONG, MATEMBA, MASAWU, NHUNGURU, NYII, WILD FRUIT JUICES AND TSUBVU - VIP ENGAGEMENT: First Lady Dr. Mnangagwa toured food displays and engaged with contestants. Officials wore “AMAI’S TRADITIONAL COOK-OUT COMPETITION” BRANDED APRONS 3. IMPACT STORY Knowledge Chirenje from Midlands Province won first prize in 2025 while serving a prison sentence. He said the competition TRANSFORMED HIS LIFE. 4. THEME & SCALE THEME: A Celebration of Our Heritage and Unity TAGLINE: Food. Culture. Unity. Zimbabwe! The cookout has grown from a national initiative into a REGIONAL EVENT promoting HEALTHY TRADITIONAL DIETS AND INDIGENOUS CROPS. MAMA’S KITCHEN HUT TAKEAWAY: TALENT, CULTURE, AND NATIONAL PRIDE met in the pot. GloTv Crew captured LIVE HIGHLIGHTS, FLAVOURS, AND STORIES as Zimbabwe’s heritage was on full display for Africa Day. #MamasKitchenHut #NationalCookoutCompetition #ZimCuisine #AfricaDay2026 #FoodCultureUnity