By Ashley Dean Misho

In a remarkable display of its "Think in Other Terms" philosophy, the NUST Catering Unit has completely reimagined the potential of indigenous foods, elevating traditional Zimbabwean flavours into the realm of fine confectionery to mark an epic end to an exciting culture month in Zimbabwe.

The centrepiece of this culinary breakthrough is a novel chocolate cake infused with umtshwankela (indigenous wild blackberry). Traditionally enjoyed fresh from the tree, the well-loved local fruit has been transformed into a sophisticated, modern dessert.

The mastermind behind these tasteful inventions is Leslie Ngwenya, a skilled pastry chef at NUST. Explaining the technical process, Ngwenya noted that the team carefully extracted the soft inner pulp of the umtshwankela berry and seamlessly blended it into a rich chocolate cake mixture, achieving a delicate balance between traditional heritage and contemporary pastry arts.

The catering team officially unveiled this masterpiece at the Amagugu Heritage Food and Beverages Festival, a recent cultural gathering held at the Amagugu International Heritage Centre to commemorate Africa Day. The innovative creation received rave reviews from cultural enthusiasts, academics, and dignitaries alike.

"When we placed our cake on display, a lot of people really liked it because many did not know that umtshwankela could actually be used to make a cake," said Catering Department Supervisor, Precious Mathe (Moyo). "The cake was so well-received that even the Deputy Mayor of Bulawayo visited the NUST table specifically to ask for a taste."

The team's impressive exhibition has already yielded tangible results, earning them an exclusive invitation to showcase their indigenous culinary innovations at another prominent heritage event scheduled for September.

Beyond its unique, chocolate-like flavour, umtshwankela (scientifically known as Vitex payos, or the chocolate berry, also called mutsubvu or mutahuru in Shona) is an indigenous superfood packed with vital nutrients and long-standing medicinal properties, found naturally and enjoyed in various parts of Zimbabwe.

The fruit pulp is exceptionally rich in Vitamin C, with just 100 grams of dry pulp providing up to 100% of an adult's daily requirement to boost immunity and skin health. It is also packed with essential B vitamins (B3 and B6) for energy production, alongside powerful antioxidants that help reduce inflammation in the body and protect against chronic heart disease.

Historically, both fresh and dried fruits have been consumed to control diarrhoea and soothe mouth sores. Additionally, remedies derived from the tree's roots and bark are widely used to treat severe stomach aches, colic, and digestive disorders.

 Different parts of the Vitex payos tree provide diverse therapeutic benefits. Inhaling the smoke from dried, burned leaves helps clear the respiratory tract in people with asthma and persistent coughs. At the same time, leaf-infused teas are used to stimulate the appetite of recovering patients. Topically, a paste made from the bark and leaves is applied to heal wounds, soothe burns, and alleviate skin complaints.

By infusing this nutrient-dense wild berry into contemporary baking, the NUST Catering Team has successfully transformed a traditional medicinal resource into a modern culinary masterpiece, reintroducing an immune-boosting indigenous treasure back into the daily diet.

The umtshwankela chocolate cake is just one facet of a broader commitment to celebrating Culture Month throughout May. During this heritage-focused period, the catering team expanded its menu to include umtshwankela-flavoured muffins and pastries enriched with indigenous baobab fruit powder.

Importantly, this cultural focus is not a seasonal novelty for the university. Beyond the annual Culture Month celebrations, NUST's various campus kitchens consistently champion local heritage, serving a diverse array of traditional Zimbabwean meals every week. 

Through this fusion of local ingredients and modern culinary techniques, the NUST Catering Unit is actively redefining the future of African cuisine, proving that heritage preservation can be both innovative and delicious.

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The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) will host the inaugural Joshua Nkomo Peace Marathon on 26 April 2026.

Coordinated through NUST’s Department of Sports Science and Coaching, in partnership with the Joshua Nkomo Legacy Restoration Project Trust, the legacy event is attracting thousands of runners from different parts of the continent of Africa.

 Held in honour of the late national icon Joshua Mqabuko, Nyongolo Nkomo, affectionately known as Father Zimbabwe, the marathon is both a tribute to his enduring legacy and a landmark sporting event that now meets internationally recognised standards.

A Globally Recognised Route

In a major milestone for the event, the marathon route was officially measured and certified by Aaron “Coach White” White, a Grade C Certified World Athletics Route Measurer late last year. The certification elevates the race to global standards, enabling athletes to use their finishing times to qualify for prestigious international races such as the Comrades Marathon and the Two Oceans Marathon.

Coach White described the route as one of the most scenic he has measured,

“We mapped a course that highlights key landmarks across the city of Bulawayo, reflecting the importance of this race and the legacy of our great leader Joshua Nkomo. To be honest, it is one of the most beautiful routes I have ever measured. It is an honour to have been part of this process, which means so much to the organisers, Zimbabwe, and Africa at large.”

The certified route underscores the marathon’s commitment to excellence, safety, and international competitiveness.

Promoting Peace, Unity and Heritage

Running under the theme “Make History With Every Step”, the Joshua Nkomo Peace Marathon is more than a sporting competition. It is a platform for promoting peace, unity, and the preservation of national heritage in Zimbabwe and across Africa.

Chairperson of the Trust, Kwanele Hlabangana, emphasised the significance of finalising a globally compliant route:

“Finalising our route for the Joshua Mqabuko Peace Marathon was a critical step in ensuring our event meets worldwide standards. This enhances our ability to attract elite athletes from the region and abroad. We were deliberate in taking the time to get it right.”

A Race for All

Lead Race Coordinator Talent Ncube has encouraged runners of all backgrounds and abilities to participate in what promises to be a fast, safe, and memorable experience.

“This is your opportunity to secure qualifying times right here at home. There is no need to travel abroad to earn your place on global stages, your journey can begin here. The route is safe, competitive, and designed to deliver an unforgettable race experience.”

The marathon caters to athletes of all levels, offering five race categories at $15 per participant:

• 5km Fun Run
• 10km Road Race
• 18km Differently Abled Race
• 21.1km Half Marathon
• 42.2km Full Marathon

Registration and Enquiries

Registration is open at:
🔗 https://bit.ly/Joshuankomopeacemarathon

For further information on training programmes tailored towards Comrades qualification, assistance with race category selection, or general enquiries, contact the organisers:

📞 +263 77 897 6040 / +263 77 229 5476
📧 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Joshua Nkomo Peace Marathon stands poised to become one of Zimbabwe’s premier road-running events, blending sporting excellence with a powerful message of unity and remembrance. Already runners from South Africa, Ghana and Kenya among other countries have registered or shown interest in participating, one of the organisers revealed.