Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu [email protected]
THE fusion of modern technology and cultural heritage is set to take centre stage in Bulawayo this month. Plumtree-born digital artist and 2D animator Kadelwa Joab Ndlovu will host a Bulawayo Conversations session on May 20 at the John Knight Cinema at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. The event will explore how digital storytelling, particularly animation, can help preserve Zimbabwe’s indigenous languages.
The session, being held under the theme “The power of animation in preserving indigenous languages”, comes as Ndlovu continues to gain recognition both locally and internationally. His work was recently selected as the official poster for the 2025 United States Grand Prix.
Now, he is turning his focus closer to home through Adventures of Ludzi, a TjiKalanga animated series inspired by his roots.
Drawing influence from South African animator Jonas Legkanyane, creator of the Sepedi series The Adventures of Noko Mashaba, Ndlovu is determined to show that indigenous languages can thrive in modern entertainment.
For Ndlovu, animation offers a unique way to connect generations.
“Animation transforms language from something we remember into something we experience. When indigenous languages are spoken through animated characters, they stop feeling distant and start feeling alive, modern and powerful. A child watching a story in TjiKalanga or IsiNdebele or ChiShona doesn’t feel like they are learning history, they feel like they are part of something exciting,” he said.
He added that animation allows culture to move beyond borders while preserving identity.
“It becomes culture in motion. This is how we move indigenous languages from the margin to the main stage.”
The session will also introduce Ndlovu’s broader vision through the Kadelwa Academy, an initiative aimed at nurturing young creatives. The academy seeks to blend global animation standards with African storytelling.
“The energy around Kadelwa Academy is real, and it’s building momentum. We’re carefully designing a space where creativity meets opportunity, where young people don’t just learn animation, but discover their voice and their power as storytellers. This is bigger than a class; it’s the beginning of a movement to grow Zimbabwe’s animation industry from the ground up,” he said.
Unlike traditional talks, the session will be practical and interactive. Participants will gain hands-on experience in 2D animation, character creation and storytelling, while also learning how to turn ideas into compelling visual narratives.
“Anyone who attends will not leave the same. They will leave with skills, direction, and a new way of seeing what is possible,” Ndlovu said.
