The ZimTainment

By Innocent Veremu

Zimbabwe’s Shoko Festival will celebrate its 15th edition from 25–27 September 2025 in Harare and Chitungwiza, under the banner “The Legacy XV.” The milestone event honours 15 years of artistic innovation, creative freedom, and the growth of urban culture in Zimbabwe and beyond.

Global Partnership for Peace

Organisers have announced an exciting collaboration with the UK-based arts collective Arcadia and global non-profit In Place of War, renowned for supporting creative communities in conflict-affected regions. Together, they are launching Build The Peace, an artistic exchange linking young creators from Zimbabwe and the UK.

The project will produce a co-designed mural that debuts at Glastonbury Festival in June 2025 before being showcased at Shoko’s flagship Peace in the Hood event in Chitungwiza.

“In an era where conflict dominates headlines, this collaboration is a clarion call for peace—using art and culture as catalysts for unity,” said Shoko Festival Coordinator Vera Chisvo.

A Platform for Urban Expression

Since its 2011 debut, Shoko Festival has become a leading stage for music, comedy, spoken word, and digital culture, amplifying marginalized voices and fostering creative freedom. The festival has provided a launchpad for emerging talent and a platform for established artists to engage Zimbabwe’s vibrant urban audience.

This year’s programme stays true to that spirit, with performances across multiple venues. Highlights include a major homecoming by acclaimed comedian King Kandoro as part of his global comedy tour, alongside acts such as Bagga, Runna Rulez, Madedido, and Jnr Spragga.

Digital Justice and Civic Tech

Shoko Festival week opens with The Hub UnConference (24–25 September), Zimbabwe’s premier civic tech gathering. Under the theme “Decolonise the Internet,” it will examine colonial legacies in digital systems, artificial intelligence, data governance, disinformation, and online narratives, drawing innovators and thought leaders from across Africa.

Closing with Peace in the Hood

The festival finale, Peace in the Hood, will once again bring thousands together for a free community concert at Unit L Grounds, Chitungwiza, celebrating resilience, creativity, and unity.

Tickets are available online and at Moto Republik, 3 Allan Wilson Avenue, Harare. Advance tickets for Comedy Night cost $15 (gate: $20), Mash Up Nights are $10 (gate: $15), and a double-entry pass for both nights is available for $20.

NaGuG

Songwriter and performer NaGuG has released her new song titled ‘Simuka’ which is a celebration of one’s culture and heritage.

On the project she enlisted the services of prolific industry gurus; multi-award winning Los Angeles-based producer, Pascal Guyon and multi award-winning choreographer, music producer and creative John Cole to direct the video.

Nagug says the song Simuka was based from a personal experience.

“As a diasporan, it is inevitable that after seeing the world, you begin to value your culture, history, and heritage much more,” she said.

 

Her years away from home helped her under the richness and value contained in the Zimbawe cultures and value system.

 

“The song Simuka is birthed from this experience. It's me speaking what I have grasped from the spirit of vanhu/Bantu which I have grown to acknowledge and understand better in my years of estrangement from home, over the years. Africa, particularly My Zimbabwe are a proud nation, wealthy in culture and resources, education and much more,” added NaGuG. 

 

The product is vibrant and full of life showing the cooperative work of Zimbabwean young people including, videographers, editors, costume designers/stylists, Dancers, Artists and Dreamers.

 

She stressed that this was proof our young are competent and professional in execution  of projects and that more opportunities should be outsourced to them to build their experience.

 

 

“The video of SIMUKA is amplifying the message of coming together of young people hence I outsourced it to 'young blood' , Zimbabwe's young and vibrant generation to amplify the message SIMUKA. I procured John Cole, known as best Dance choreographer and artist to direct  the project,” said the ZIMA 2022 nominated artist.

 

NaGuG which is an acronym for Nature, Advantage, Gem, Unique and Uncanny and Grand describes her music as soulful and captivating with lyrical depth, that evoke one's thoughts.

Some of her previous work include ‘Back to the Beginning’ and ‘EarthChild’ which were recorded at HubII studios and premixed by multi Grammy winning British Producer, Simon Gorgerly.

Watch Simuka below

Here is the full list of winners at the recently held 2022 National Arts Merit Awards in Harare, Zimbabwe. 

1. DANCE AWARDS

Outstanding Female Dancer

Lorin Sibanda in  Footprints

Outstanding Male Dancer

Devante Sanganza     in  My Passion for dance

Outstanding Dance Choreographer

John Cole     in        Loyal

Outstanding Dance Group

Umkhathi Theatre in   Footprints

2. VISUAL ARTS AWARDS

Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work

Domination by Joseph Nyakwenga

Outstanding 3 Dimensional

Nhumbu by Tatenda Gwarada

Outstanding Mixed Media

Do not destroy us by Rickson Zavare

3. SPOKEN WORD AWARDS

Outstanding Poet

Obert Dube

Outstanding Comedian

Hidden Sibanda aka Mdawini

Distinct  Social Media Skits

Tarisai Cleopatra Chikocho aka Madam Boss

4. MEDIA  AWARDS

Outstanding Journalist – Print

Sithokozile Sibanda    – Ilanga

Outstanding Journalist – Radio

Rumbidzayi Mugwira  aka Chamvary – Power FM

Outstanding Journalist – Television

Barney Mpariwa – ZBC

Outstanding  – Online Media

Amazing Voices – Nonkululeko Dube aka Amard

5. THEATRE AWARDS

Outstanding Actor

Cadrick Musongwelwa in Deathbed

Outstanding Actress

Rumbidzai Karize in Deathbed

Outstanding Theatrical  Production

How are you really? by Vaviri Creative

Outstanding Director

Elizabeth Zaza Muchemwa in How are you really?

6. LITERARY AWARDS

Outstanding First Creative Published Work

Bringing us back                   by Mercy Dhliwayo [Vhakololo Press]

Outstanding Children’s Book

The Cursing Tortoise by Onald Gwiriri [Essential Books Publishing Company]

Outstanding Fiction Book

All comes to Dust by  Bryony Rheam    [amaBooks]

Outstanding Poetry Book

For women Trying to breath and failing (It’s not your fault) by Batsirai Chigama   [Ntombekhaya Poetry]    

7. FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS

Outstanding Actor

Kumbilani Ncube  as Jonz in Ikasi: The Hood

Outstanding Actress

Bathabile Dlamini as Blessing in Poor Cousins

Outstanding Music Video

Rainmaker Directed by Kalai Faye Barlow ft. Djembe Monks

Outstanding Screen Production (Television)

Chipo the Gift  produced by Daves Guzha

Outstanding Screen Production (Short Length Film)

Ikasi: The Hood  Directed by Mzingaye Ngwabi

Outstanding Screen Production(Full Length Film)

Poor Cousins Directed by Sydney Taivavashe

8. MUSIC AWARDS

Outstanding New Comer

Day Tawanda Ncube aka DT Bio Mudimba

Outstanding Female Musician

Janet Manyowa

Outstanding Male Musician

Simbarashe Carrington Chiwadzwa aka Nutty O

Outstanding Song 

Hello Mwari by Rodney Mashandure aka Jah Master 

Outstanding Album   

Mustard Seed by Simbarashe Carrington Chiwadzwa  aka Nutty O

9. SPECIAL AWARDS

Outstanding Artist In The Diaspora

Arnold Tongai Chirisa

Promoter Of The Year

Gateway Stream

Consistent Supporter Under Covid-19 

Nash TV

Arts Service Award

National Gallery of Zimbabwe

Lifetime Achievement  

Mechanic Manyeruke 

Source – NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE

 

James Manyika now in charge of finding out tech's impact on society for Google (pic: Getty/NYT)

Google has appointed Zimbabwean-American James Manyika, the head of McKinsey Global Institute, to be the company’s first Senior VP of Technology and Society.

The position will report to Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai and focuses on how tech affects society.

“I’m thrilled that James Manyika will be joining Google’s leadership team,” Pichai said in a statement. “He’s spent decades working at the intersection of technology and society and has advised a number of businesses, academic institutions and governments along the way.”

A Google spokesperson said Manyika’s role works on “shaping and sharing” the company’s view on the way tech affects society, the economy and the planet. His areas of focus include the future of work, sustainability and the impact of AI.

Big Tech has long faced accusations that it’s a detriment to society, and Google thinks it can address those criticisms more directly. Manyika will help explore tech’s impact on society and shape the firm’s points of view on subjects including AI, the future of work, sustainability and other areas that could make a significant difference.

Manyika has spent 28 years at McKinsey, which helps companies and governments (including tech leaders) make decisions based on economic and cultural trends like those Google hopes to address. He also serves on the boards of research institutes at Harvard, MIT, Oxford, Stanford and other top-tier schools. If anyone is likely to be aware of tech’s broader effects on the world, it’s him.

Google’s move certainly isn’t surprising. It comes as the company is facing a host of antitrust lawsuits, increasingly tougher regulations and protests over its treatment of employees. There are also claims Google and Big Tech haven’t done enough to fight misinformation and are eroding privacy. The new executive won’t necessarily adjust all of Google’s behavior, but he could provide a more informed perspective that reduces the chances of a cultural or political backlash. __ Protocol/eGadget

The 4th edition of The Glam Awards has been postponed until further notice.

The awards show which is popularly known for honouring Zimbabwean youths has taken a cue from the announcements by World Health Organisation, the state and the media brought upon by the Coronavirus.

In a statement by the awards president Albert Chigiya, nominees, fans, media and other stakeholders have been notified that the awards show has reached an agreement with stakeholders to postpone the show until #Covid_19 has stabilised.

"The show aims to play its part in this pandemic by spreading the relevant information on how to stop the spread of the virus," said Chigiya.

The voting system will be closed today (25/03/2020) and winners will be picked and have their names branded on the accolades.

All the nominees should keep their invites and also those who had bought tickets should also keep their tickets so that they can gain entrance when a new date has been set.

The show organisers also thanked the fans and sponsors for their support in understanding the tough decision to postpone the show.

In light of the #Covid_19 pandemic, please stay at home and exercise all precautionary measures from the World Health Organisation.