Let Them Trust Festival has formally makes its return of its iconic annual event, the Let Them Trust Annual Schools Arts Festival, which will mark its 14th anniversary.
The colorful two-day youth arts festival will take place at Harare’s City Sports Centre from July 24th to July 25th 2026, with daily hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
This year’s festival has the theme “OUR ROOTS, OUR PRIDE”. It encourages young creatives to respect their culture, traditions, and legacy in order to develop a strong sense of identity and self-esteem.
Following last year’s groundbreaking integration of Early Childhood Development (ECD), primary, and secondary schools on a single stage, the 2026 edition expands the competition to include seven main artistic disciplines: music, dance, fashion, visual arts, theatre, poetry, and public speaking.
The festival’s organizers are thrilled to introduce Ammara Brown, a multi-award-winning singer and cultural icon, as the official Guest of Honor on Saturday.
Ammara is well-known for her remarkable stage presence, adaptability, and artistic discipline, and she serves as a valuable source of inspiration for the young participants.
Her presence and professional path serve as an excellent real-world example of how a dedication to creative quality can elevate African heritage to the global stage.
Adding to the excitement, Friday’s Guest of Honor remains a surprise, with organizers hinting that this special VIP guest will be officially unveiled in the coming days.
“We are thrilled to have Ammara Brown visit us as Guest of Honor and experience the incredible talent that our schools have to offer,” said Chido Musasiwa-Gutu, Festival Director.
“Ammara exemplifies what it means to be proud of our roots. Having an artist of her caliber interact with the youngsters will radically alter their perceptions of what is possible.
Following the enormous success of last year’s event, which drew over 32 schools, this 14th edition provides an even larger platform for students to discover professional career paths in the creative economy while aligning with the cultural preservation goals of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).”
The 2026 musical category will include a cultural memorial to the late legendary Zimbabwean vocalist Bob Nyabinde, also known as “The Headmaster.” To foster a deep appreciation for the evolution of local music, all participating musicians must perform at least one of his iconic songs throughout their 10-minute live performances.
To add to the emotional impact of the homage, the late Bob Nyabinde’s son will attend the festival, celebrating his father’s enduring musical legacy.
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