Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
ONCE the creative heartbeat of Bulawayo and a cornerstone of Zimbabwean arts, the Amakhosi Cultural Centre is experiencing a revival and film is leading the way.
Thanks to a timely collaboration with the European Film Festival Zimbabwe (EuroFilmFestZW), the iconic cultural space is entering a new chapter, blending its rich legacy with a fresh, innovative energy.
This year, from 6 to 8 June, Amakhosi will host the Bulawayo leg of EuroFilmFestZW, a dynamic festival themed “Celebrating Women.”
Festival co-curator, Alex Gwaze, noted that the move to Amakhosi directly responds to audience needs.
“This year, we’re at Amakhosi Cultural Centre. Just like our shift from Mt Pleasant to Mbare in Harare, we’re moving from the city centre to Makokoba. Amakhosi has nurtured Bulawayo’s top creatives for decades, and we’re excited to meet the community in their own cultural space.”
This return to community roots could not have come at a better time. Under the stewardship of Gcina Mhlanga, daughter of the late Cont Mhlanga and trustee of the Cont Mhlanga Foundation, Amakhosi is finding new grounding while honouring its illustrious past.
In 2023, the centre launched its first curated gallery, the Amakhosi Art Gallery, setting a new tone for what is to come.
For Mhlanga, the partnership is more than just a change of venue; it is a lifeline. Amakhosi is leaning into storytelling and the opportunities that come with it.
“The festival is a very powerful catalyst for visibility, community engagement, and much-needed revenue generation to sustain other activities and cover the centre’s running costs. Hosting high-profile events like this helps maintain the physical space. Each event we hold makes the venue more viable for other activities and strengthens our long-term sustainability,” said Mhlanga.
Beyond logistics, Mhlanga sees the partnership as a vital tool for creative development, particularly for the centre’s Performing Arts Academy.
“It’s a good platform for talent development. The festival brings workshops, panel discussions and screenings, helping translate theory into practice,” she explained.
And the activities will not stop with film. Festival-goers can look forward to a Township Tour, a bonfire night with live performances, and cultural showcases designed to highlight Amakhosi’s work and ethos.
“This is the kind of event that opens doors to collaboration. It broadens our stakeholder base, builds relationships and ultimately lays the groundwork for new, impact-driven programmes.”
Although this marks the beginning of the partnership between Amakhosi and EuroFilmFestZW, both sides are optimistic about what lies ahead.
“We share aligned goals and visions. The aim is to explore sustainable opportunities that build on our respective strengths. The progression has been gradual but intentional, and we’re excited about what’s coming,” Mhlanga added.
As anticipation builds, Mhlanga shared a heartfelt message with film lovers, artistes and cultural enthusiasts.
“Amakhosi has long stood at the heart of pioneering film and storytelling in the region. This is a proud moment for us — to reopen our doors to film lovers through a gathering of dreamers and storytellers. We aim to honour our past, reflect our present and inspire our future.”
Indeed, this partnership is more than just a film festival. It is a fresh start for a cultural hub driven by the community, rooted in heritage, and full of promise for African storytelling.
As Amakhosi prepares to light up its screen once again, the city watches, ready to return to a place where stories live, breathe and belong.
— @MbuleloMpofu
