Online ReporterMaria Chiguvari
THREE comedians of the Content Creators of the Association of Zimbabwe (COCAZ) were in Iran where they represented Zimbabwe’s thriving content creation community.
Ernest “Boss Matsanga” Mavaza, Kuda Rushman and Tanatswa “Kimnanah” Fukiza are part of the team that went to Iran.
They returned home on Wednesday.
Takunda Tapfuma, COCAZ COO, said the trip brought an opportunity to build bridges, forge new connections and explore international collaborations.
COCAZ is a organisation that brings together emerging and established content creators from across Zimbabwe.
Tapfuma said their primary goal is to foster growth, development and collaboration among content creators in all the 10 provinces of the country.
“We recently participated in a culture exchange programme in Iran aimed at promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between our two countries.
“The programme was a fantastic opportunity for our members to learn about Iranian culture, share their experiences as Zimbabwean content creators and explore potential collaborations.
“Our time in Iran was incredibly enriching.
“We experienced the country’s rich cultural heritage from its stunning architecture to its vibrant arts scene. These experiences will undoubtedly inspire our future content creation work and provide new perspectives on story telling.
“The culture exchange programme will benefit COCAZ members by providing them with new insights, ideas, and potential collaborations.
“We are excited about the opportunities that will arise from this programme and look forward to sharing our experiences with our members,” he said.
Tapfuma said COCAZ was working to provide its members with training and capacity building programmes, networking opportunities and access to funding and resources.
“I believe that one of the biggest challenges facing content creators in Zimbabwe is limited access to resources, training and funding.
“The government and private sector can support the growth of the content creation industry in Zimbabwe by providing funding and resources for content creators, investing in infrastructure and technology and promoting Zimbabwean content locally and internationally.
“There is a growing demand for high quality, engaging content in Zimbabwe, particularly in the areas of entertainment, education and information.
“COCAZ members are responding to this demand by producing innovative and compelling content that showcases Zimbabwean talent and creativity.
“I believe that there are significant opportunities for cultural exchange and cooperation between Iran and Zimbabwe, particularly in the areas of arts, culture and education.
“By leveraging these opportunities, we can promote mutual understanding, foster creativity and innovation and strengthen the ties between our two nations.
“The cultural exchange programme will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the relationship between Iran and Zimbabwe.
“By sharing our experiences, ideas, and cultures we can build bridges of understanding and cooperation that will benefit both countries.”
Tapfuma said the group is set to visit Nigeria for yet another cultural exchange programme.
