Kay Media Africa (Zim) in conjunction with Reprezent Radio (UK) with support from the British Council and Swiss Agency for Development and Co-Operation (SDC) have launched the Scripts and Bars project. Under the Scripts and Bars project, 100 creatives from the UK and Zimbabwe will collaborate on creative projects in music and literature. The project will be carried out by four hubs including Comexposed, Page Poetry Alive, Reprezent Radio and Khura Agency.
Read more on the project here: https://www.chronicle.co.zw/zimbabwe-meets-the-uk-for-script-and-bars/
Introducing the 25 creatives from Khura Agency
Mawiza
Mawiza, born Wisdom Moyo is an award winning Kwaito artist from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. His music talent began when he was still at Mpopoma High School where he was part of the school choir and drama club. After high school he formed a rap group by the name Topfellaz with his 2 church friends. The group disbanded years later after one of the group members relocated to South Africa. This did not put an end to the passionate Mawiza as he continued and started a solo career. In 2015, he met the late Cal Vin and he was part of a movement led by Cal Vin, Kontrol Tribe. After touring Zimbabwe with Kontrol Tribe, Mawiza parted ways with movement to pursue his solo career and he is now a fully independent artist. He has won community awards:
3 *Outstanding Kwaito nominee (Bulawayo Arts Awards)
1* Outstanding Kwaito Act winner 2020 (Bulawayo Arts Awards)
1 * Best Dance Kwaito nominee 2022 (Zimbabwe Music Awards)
Brintz
Brintz is a hiphop artist from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He had his career beginnings as a battle rapper for the Da Grapevine rap battle league owned by popular Zimbabwean Hiphop enthusiast, Naboth Rizla.
It is through this experience that he honed his lyricism and well thought out themes for his music. His music employs authentic, introspective and well-articulated lyrical content blended together with classical hiphop soundscapes whilst experimenting with alternative sounds in between. He has been making music for the past 10 years, making his formal debut into the music industry with a well-received project, the Play These For Now EP released in 2021.
As evidenced by the content in his music, Brintz is passionate about self-improvement, aspirations of dreamers like himself who believe in chasing their dreams and community development as most of his music leans towards the conscious rapper lane.
His future plans include owning a fully fletched media house which will help creatives like himself take their brands to global standards whilst maintaining ownership of their creative output.
Meet Luminous
Meet Luminous, a Hip-Hop artist from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe who seeks to entertain, while challenging the mind of the audience with hopes of inspiring culture. Luminous is versatile, able to switch his flow to suit the instrumentation. His skill as a writer is impeccable as he finds a way of taking complex ideas and simplifying them while still hiding messages in metaphors, double/ triple entendres. Luminous is passionate about emotional intelligence, social responsibility, the artist wants to create art that sparks a conversation. With hopes of growing his brand beyond his place of birth, he hopes to collaborate with other artists from different places across the world. Luminous has been active since 2016 in a professional light but he has been making and performing music since he was 9. When asked about his future plans, the artist is adamant about ownership of platforms and creating brand sustainability and above all being consistent in feeding the minds of the audience that pays attention to him. Growing up, Luminous used to struggle to get school fees and so he dreams of being able to help kids in his community who struggle in the same way.
Msiz’Kay
Zimbabwean artist, producer, songwriter, and poet.
Msiz’kay is a pioneer of a style of music he describes as Something Afro, a blend of Hip Hop which fuses Hip Hop, R n B and Pop with various traditional African music elements to come up with a unique sound. This coupled with his different approach to song writing is what sets him apart as an artist. #SomethingAfro is characterised by unique beats, deep lyrics, electric
flows and catchy hooks.
Msiz’kay has worked with various top musicians both locally and internationally. In Zimbabwe he has collaborated with amazing artists such as Asaph, Awa Khiwe, Mzoe7 and Sandra Ndebele, while internationally he has released music with Raul Bryan from Botswana, Dj Satelite from Angola, Wambui Katee from Kenya, Rozzen from Brazil, Dj Soldera from Brazil and Drunky Daniels, Fancy Inc and Vintage Culture also from Brazil.
Mgcini Moyo
A highly flexible and adaptive professional with a multicultural background and has acquired a first class degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management in Lupane State University (Zimbabwe). Passionate about learning from and engaging with others through social media. It is this passion that led him to create a social media enterprise that addresses topical issues
in a comical way. Has established a number of skills including content creation and a strong foundation in digital marketing. Because he believes that laughter is the best medicine, he fully manages the Byo_Memes page which has connected more than 100’000 young people worldwide in the last 4 years. He creates relevant content in various ways which include
memes, podcast, comedy videos and live streaming discussing day to day problems and listening to people’s everyday conversations at the same time creating relevant content . You never know, next time, he might just be listening to yours.
Rachael Voko Ncube
Racheal Voko Ncube is a young lady who is so passionate about art and community development. She serves as a youth board member at European Union Delegation (Zimbabwe) and she is also a brand ambassador in the fight against GBV/DV and sexual harassment. She uses art as a tool of activism and advocacy.
She also has ovations in her name in form of awards and recognitions both nationally and international.
-2019 she won an award under ROILBAA2019 outstanding community arts engagement
-2020 she won an award under Zimbabwe Women Of Excellence
-2021 she won a poetry slam under Loziba Festival
-2021 she was also nominated for the ROILBAA2021 outstanding spoken word category
-2021 listed amongst the gumiguru emerging leaders in Zimbabwe
-2021 selected amongst 8 influencial young women to represent Zimbabwe for the Global
Young African Leaders Awards.
Michelle Thanya Moyo
Michelle Thanya Moyo, popularly known as Michelle Thanya is a 20 year old Zimbabwean poet, writer, theatre enthusiast, Actress and a Music manager. She has performed in several Intwasa Arts Festival competitions and they have been a major player in her development as an artist, winning the Intwasa Extra Arts Festival Poetry Slam as the youngest poet there, runner up in the Intwasa arts poetry slams for two years, and second place in group poetry in the 100girls 100 voices initiative, champion in the Skyz Metro FM Public Speaking Competition The Bulawayo Junior City Council Annual Day of The African Child Public Speaking Competition two years consecutively. In theatre she has won best Cameo role in the Intwasa High Schools Drama Competition. In 2021 Michelle starred in a short film ‘’DATE NIGHT’’. The film set to out to educate people about date rape. She has also performed at the Bulawayo Arts Festival under the Bulawayo City Council. Recently she was part of Project Being Human, a collaboration of poets, dancers and musicians all seeking to fuse the three art forms. Aside from Poetry Michelle is also a lifestyle podcaster in the show ‘’ Thanya Two Cents’’ available on Anchor and Spotify. Michelle continues to seek more spaces to fill and showcase her talents.
Bhekiwe Dube
Hello, my name is Bhekiwe Dube and I’m 22 years old. I’m a Pop/R&B artist from the city of Kings and Queens! I’ve been singing and writing songs since I was very young but professionally I’ve been at it for about 2 years now. My taste in music is highly inspired by the likes of Beyoncé, Normani plus many more. Something about a strong black woman making waves motivates me, especially the child in me. Sound cliche but music is my passion. It’s what I give most, if not all my attention to, I can’t even begin to picture myself not singing or performing. In regards to my future I intend on releasing a lot of music and and performing on bigger stages such as Afrochella, Afronation and the likes. I want to secure international features from some of my favorite artists. I aspire to work with big name brands that will expose my talents to a wider audience. One of my future goals is to work more with charity organizations, especially ones to do with the girl child. I believe I have the influence to make a positive change in the lives of young women in and around my country. Above all else my future goal involves being the happiest version of me at all times:)
Happy Mpofu
Happy Mpofu is a young rising creative and innovative person born and bred in Pumula Bulawayo. Founder and Director of Home of Arts Entertainment a youth organisation which seeks to provide growing artists a platform where they can share and showcase their talent. I’m also Founder and Director of Pumula Royal Arts and Community Awards an initiative which seeks to promote young artists and increase the youth participation. I have been in the industry for 3 years and have managed to organise several shows (My Heritage Show, International Youth Day 2020 Etc.) and did 2 Editions of Pumula Royal Arts and Community Awards. Have worked with different stakeholders and Organisations which are National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Youth Sport Arts and Recreation, Junior Achievement Zimbabwe etc. I’m passionate about developing our arts and creative industry and helping artists with knowledge by organising different capacity buildings.2022 there are plans set on our calendar of events starting with Modelling Show, Poetry Slam, Workshop for all Creative and Bulawayo Youth Arts Festival.
Imelda Duduzile Moyo
My name is Imelda Duduzile Moyo. I am 30 years old, I have a Masters in Journalism and Media Studies from the National University of Science and Technology. I am the Co-Founder of Power PR Communications a PR and Communications company that is based in Bulawayo Zimbabwe. Founded in 2016, Power PR, focuses on providing fresh, innovative, creative and world class PR, Marketing, Social media management, Promotions and Media Communication services. I am passionate about Public Relations and Communications, I believe that PR and Communications may change the image and brand of companies and done right and well most companies and individuals may flourish and thrive. My future plans are to grow my company and one day be the biggest and highly sought PR firm in Africa. I want to collaborate and work with other PR company executives, network and share knowledge and really grow the PR and communication industry in Zimbabwe and in Africa as a whole.
Lady Tshawe
Lady Tshawe is a multi-talented award-winning artist. Her artistic style, expression and image embody her abilities, aspirations and achievements. She is a force whose convictions and views about equal opportunities for self-expression influence her writing, theatrical roles, music and conversations.
Her professional artistic journey began in 2009 and she advocates for expressing herself as a person, which is far from the need to be afforded privileges because she is a woman. She aspires to influence the performing, entertainment and research sectors globally.
Lady Tshawe has performed in numerous theatre productions in and outside the country such as Zambezi Express, Tellers: The Musical and Blood Tongue which saw her win best theatre actress in 2018 at Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA), to name but a few.
Also in 2017 she was selected as the Zimbabwean Scriptwriter for the Zimbabwe/UK collaboration ‘Unified Women’ under Nhimbe’s WiTT programme. Under the same WiTT programme In 2021 she was selected to be the Zimbabwean Lead Artist for a Zimbabwe/UK collaboration ‘Here, There, Now’. In 2019 she wrote and directed her first theatre production ‘6.55’ which saw her win the 2020 BAA Best Theatre Production, started her own theatre company in 2021 which staged it’s first play ‘Kumnyama’ in the same year.
Lady Tshawe plans on creating a hub where artists can be mentored and trained in poetry, script-writing and acting, assist them to get published or have platforms to perform and create work. She one day hopes to create a tea brand as she is addicted to tea and thinks coffee ain’t all that 🙂
Tariro Gurure
Tariro Gurure is media practitioner based in Bulawayo. A freelance journalist with Earground.zw, a podcaster with Cite, and the current Judge with Geraldine Roche Theater Drama. A production manager in short films and theatre and finally a Script Writer.
Cingi
My name is Cingi, short for Cinginkosi Ncube. I am 27 years old, and I was born and bred in Victoria Falls, and partly Bulawayo. My name is an instruction to search for the "King", which I have grown to interpret in quite a lot of ways. I am a very inquisitive young woman, and so the searching part of my name pretty much defines my purpose. I love finding out about things, talking or writing or singing about them as I share with everyone else. The King to me, is first of all my Lord, God. I believe in His greater power, and His excellent and faithful power at work in me. Secondly, I have always taken the King to be a part of royalty in me, and everyone else around me, that should be seen and heard. Thus my being passionate about rights, and justice,(I studied local governance studies as my first degree and graduated 2019) and I am hoping to do law for my second or masters. I am passionate about social corporate responsibility and the role corporates and public figures have to play in the society. I have shoved myself therefore, in initiatives that have such visions at heart such as Magamba network and accountability lab. Being young, and Zimbabwean, I am currently employed at simbisa brands as a means of earning my living and supporting my dream. I want to be a very valuable voice in my circles and more importantly, outside of them. I do not want to entertain, I want to influence!
King Killemol uNgadlangadla
Rodney Mpofu professionally known as King Killemol uNgadlangadla. Born(15 Jan 1996) and raised in Bulawayo Emganwini
King Rodney Is a Hip hop artist, songwriter,voice over artist. Started rapping at a early age inspired by ,Nina Simone,Andy Palacio, Lovemore Majaivana, Jayz ,Nasir Jones He started recording in a small bedroom studio 2015, music has always been part of his life,His been doing recording for 4years now,fair airplay and chart topping songs. He is passionate about creating music but most being an inspiration to others with the music he create,and being the mirror of his society. He used to host the Church ciphers in EMGanwini and hip-hop Thursday at Club MArula to have other artists showcase their craft. King Killemol got the name Ngadlangadla from his late grandfather who was a proud Ndebele man, hence the inspiration to King Rodney to make music in IsiNdebele and mix it with English. Currently his working on his first album,it’s a mix of different genres he loves,some jazz some funk,some folk js to mention a few. His from a small neighborhood with not many places to perform or for the youth to hangout,learn and explore and its his wish one day to help build a youth hall and a music School.
Kinah The Music
Shekinah Nathan Ndlovu born 29 September 1998 started singing around the age of 11 then started playing guitar at the age of 17 which then led to playing for artists in and around Zimbabwe from the likes of Selmor Mtukudzi , Oskid Productions , Asaph , Vuyo Brown , Sandra Ndebele, Mzoe7 , Ryan Synth, Holy Rey (SA) and Shungudzo (USA) jus to mention a few
Born and raised in Bulawayo , He began his solo Career 2021 after his single Uncertainty produced by Ryan Synth , his also played on stages like Coca Cola Unplugged Festival , Bulawayo Arts Festival, Bulawayo Arts Awards , Intwasa Arts Festival , UN Virtual Concert as a session guitarist playing for other Artists
He also released an album titled Music & My Feelings after his single which can be streamed from any platform
If not doing music his the founder of Action With Drive Association which seeks to empower youth in the Arts industry by teaching them instruments amongst other programs which teach them more in their specialized skills such as singing, dancing, poetry amongst other skill sets.
Stewie Le Savage
Tarryn Talana
I am a singer songwriter and producer in the making. I own an audio recording studio called TarrynTalanaStudio. We’ve been running for about a year now.
Ryan Synth
MOTHUSE “RYAN SYNTH” BALULE is a cool, calm and down-to-earth person – that is, until he hits the decks and gets the crowd into a frenzy. RYAN SYNTH has a reputation for being able to please a diverse crowd. He has also taken the clubbing experience to radio by enjoying radio residency for the past three years, gracing the public on provincial, national & international radio stations were he would deliver a pre-party *Ultimix set which would be prepared for your listening pleasure, whether at the comfort of your home, car or preparing to go out.
*An Ultimix is a mixing technique of fusing various acapellas, reprises & instrumentals into one and create a storyline based on the lyrical content of each songs used.
RYAN SYNTH, an Award Winning Record Producer who hails from the City of Kings & Queens (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) has managed to share the stage with big names in the DJ & Music Industry Sector such as: DJ Kent (RSA), DJ Maphorisa (RSA), FunkinMatt (GER), respectively.Besides being a deejay, RYAN SYNTH has established himself as a music producer
He was behind a couple of successful productions, namely “Bakumelele” which won Best House Song in 2017 at the SKYZ METRO FM MUSIC AWARDS, “Ngaibake (Remix)” which was released in 2019. He has also worked with CAL VIN, Nitefreak, DJ Stavo and Murphy Cubic.
Novuyo Seagirl Dube
Nomvuyo Seagirl Dube as by her birth name. Popularly known as Novuyo Seagirl, is a 30 year old artist from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. She is a talented singer, songwriter, dancer and actress. She was the 2015 Starbrite overall winner and a Dreamstar 2018 finalist. She is a former member of Sandra Ndebele’s Intombi zomqangala women ensemble and with them she toured Germany, Austria & Russia. In 2012, she was cast in Umoja Cultural Flying Carpet and with them she toured South Africa and Mozambique.
She has also performed alongside Zimbabwe’s notable artists like Edith we Utonga, Stunner and Ba Shupi at HIFA 2014. She has shared the stage with international acts like Mafikizolo, Nasty C, Zahara, Killer Kau, Gigi La Mayne, Winky D & Jah Prayzah, just to mention a few.
She started her own band with her sisters, Lwandle Nomvula and Qeqeshiwe. Together, they have performed in various places around the country and participated in corporate events. Novuyo recently graduated with a Higher Diploma in Sound Engineering and Music Production at the College of Creative Arts Africa, an Affiliate of MSU. This is where she met the producer of her hit songs ‘A e i o u’ and ‘Bambelela’.
Her awards include the Skyz Metro Best Female and Best House song, as well as StarFM best house song. She also scooped two more awards at the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards in 2019 for Outstanding Female and Outstanding song of the year. Novuyo has been nominated for the ZIMA awards in both 2020 and 2021 as well as the StarFM Awards in 2020.
She also graduated a 12-week course in Audio Engineering with SistazNextGeneration.
Lamas Ellz
Lamas Ellz is a versatile RnB musician from the City of Kings and Queens, Bulawayo. Lamas Ellz creates music inspired by dynamic afro sounds and stories as seen in everyday society. His ideology is to speak to everyone and be able to in-
spire a well informed and entertained generation going forward.
The Shoemaker
The Shoemaker, was born Roderick Mzingaye Sibanda on the 15th December 1989. He lives in the second capital city of Zimbabwe, Bulawayo. The Shoemaker founded and is the CEO of IIWIIS MUSIC Inc. a recording and clothing label. The singer, songwriter and rapper is also fondly known by his fans as the RapperNurse since he is a nurse by profession.
The Shoemaker started in the music industry back in 2010 when he was signed under Digital Music Records in Victoria Falls. Under this record label is where he released singles like VIP SECTION and “All Alone”. After founding IIWIIS MUSIC Inc., in 2013 he released his first mixtape titled MZINGAYE. The mixtape had smashing hits like ZONKE BONKE and MONEY MONEY which cemented his place in the hearts of hip hop lovers around the country.
The 2019 Zim Hip Hop Awards nominee for best new comer, has been interviewed on all radio and TV stations in the country and has performed at many events including the 2019 Mapopoma Festival in Victoria Falls and the I Love Msiz’kay concert to mention but a few.
He has in the past few months released singles like DECEMBER and FREE_DOM, with the most recent one being a love afro pop song titled Sondela Remix.
Jobe the Gupta, as he calls himself, hopes to soar to greater heights and express the greatness of Zim music as he is able to rap in 9 languages including Nyanja, Tswana and Xhosa to mention a few.
Mimmie Tarukwana
Mimmie Tarukwana born Mubanga Natasha Tarukwana is 27 years old. She is a versatile singer and songwriter. She started singing when she was 4 and sang through primary and high school. She joined gospel groups Creme Voices and Vocal Ex in 2013. Her career started out as backing vocalist for local artists in 2015. Mimmie was part of the first edition of Women of Valour. She is currently one of the lead vocalists in The Outfit band, a jazz band. Mimmie released her first single in June 2018 which was later nominated for 2 Skyz Metro FM Awards. She was nominated for Outstanding Newcomer across all genres at the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards 2019. She has been part of the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards in a House band twice as well as the Skyz Metro FM Awards 2017-2018.
Mhle Nzima
Mhle Nzima is the co-founder of Rebel Film Productions, a multimedia production studio which uses film as a tool to tackle social injustice. Professionally he is a 2d digital animator who was commissioned to design and animate the official mascot for the African Union Sports Commission Region 5 Under 20 Youth Games “Jumbo the Elephant” in 2014. He is also an award winning film director, scriptwriter, producer, illustrator, and entrepreneur responsible for writing, directing and co-producing the first feature film from his city to be licensed by regional satellite broadcaster DSTV’s Zambezi Magic in 2017, the two-time-award-winning film “The Lost Letter”. This, coupled with multiple emotional animations and films addressing issues like homophobic bullying, child molestation, depression, and suicide among many other “taboo” subjects in Zimbabwe lead to his name quickly becoming synonymous with impactful and tasteful dramatic storytelling and fostered a life-long partnership with like-minded production company Early Entertainment. He has collaborated on various filmmaking projects with several organizations and production companies like Invision Studios, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, and Ya-Sibo Media, as well as done repeated commissioned work for institutions like The Ministry of Health Zimbabwe; the Sexual Rights Centre, Voice of the Voiceless, and TREAT among many other NGOs. He is currently the head writer and an animator for Nafuna TV’s animated series “Angry Mwana” and is working on several feature scripts and productions with Early Entertainment set for release in 2022.
