The Mzimba Heritage Association (MZIHA) has cancelled this year’s Umtheto Cultural Festival for the Ngoni people.

This is the second consecutive year that the cultural festival has failed to take place owing to rising cases Covid-19 infections in the country.

After failing to hold the event last year due to Covid-19 prevention measures on gatherings, as cases of the pandemic were going down, the Ngoni of Mzimba were anticipating to hold the event which aims at preserving the Ngoni cultural values this year.

However, with the month of holding the event closing in, cases of the pandemic started rising again resulting in the Government bringing back preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease.

Speaking with the press Mzimba Heritage Association-MZIHA Vice General Secretary Kingsley Jere said with the Government imposing restrictions on gathering due to rising cases of Covid-19, they can no longer hold the event as it is patronized by thousands of people.