Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube Sunday Life Reporter
AFTER more than two decades of navigating Zimbabwe’s creative landscape as an artist, arts administrator and cultural development practitioner, Bothwell “Gog Bekezela” Nkomo is turning his focus to those who often work behind the scenes to keep the industry alive.
Through the Gobela Arts Development Agency (Gada), Gog Bekezela will host the second edition of the Arts Administrators High Tea from July 15 to 17 at Amakhosi Cultural Centre in Bulawayo, bringing together arts administrators, policymakers, producers, event managers, development agencies, media practitioners, sponsors, investors and cultural institutions to reimagine the future of Zimbabwe’s creative economy.
Held under the theme, “Navigating Scarcity, Creating Abundance: Arts Administration in Tough Economic Times”, the three-day conference aims to move beyond dialogue by producing practical solutions for one of the country’s most pressing challenges — building a sustainable creative ecosystem.
The event also marks another milestone for Gog Bekezela, whose career spanning over 20 years has evolved from performer to one of Zimbabwe’s leading arts development advocates.
Officially launched in 2025, Gada grew out of Creative Space Media, a platform Gog Bekezela established while living and working in South Africa. The agency was born from his realisation that many Zimbabwean creatives possessed immense talent, but lacked the professional support structures needed to build lasting careers.
“When I returned home from South Africa, I couldn’t find anyone to manage me. There was a lack of know-how, no agencies, no record labels and very few managers. I realised we needed to shine a spotlight on arts administration and build a sustainable creative ecosystem,” Gog Bekezela said.
His perspective was shaped while working for South African entertainment company Muthaland Entertainment, where he witnessed the value of professional arts management.
“There, I saw an entire office dedicated to one artiste. There were people responsible for media, bookings, logistics, branding and marketing. As an artiste, all I had to do was focus on my craft because everything else was professionally managed.”
That experience, he said, reinforced an important lesson.
“Talent is only a small percentage of success. The bigger part is networking, investment, administration and management. Those are the things we want creatives in Zimbabwe to understand.”
Today, GADA’s work extends far beyond artist representation. The organisation runs capacity-building and professional development programmes in marketing, media, publishing, logistics and arts management, while mentoring emerging creatives through practical industry training.
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The Arts Administrators High Tea, Gog Bekezela said, was created to give recognition and support to professionals whose work often goes unnoticed.
“It’s an annual gathering for arts managers, policymakers and administrators. Our intention is to open people’s eyes to the opportunities that exist behind the scenes in show business and to create a stronger creative ecosystem.”
This year’s theme reflects the difficult operating environment confronting Zimbabwe’s arts sector.
“We’re faced with scarcity of resources, limited funding instruments and difficult economic conditions that continue to affect fundraising efforts. Despite those challenges, we must find innovative ways of supporting our creative communities.”
A major highlight will be the second day of the conference, when a South African delegation led by arts educator
Thapelo Pule introduces participants to Ilima, an indigenous African model of communal cooperation that Gog Bekezela believes offers practical solutions for the sector.
“Ilima is one of our indigenous knowledge systems where communities pool together their limited resources to achieve enormous results. We want to adopt that concept for creatives.”
Five creative projects will be selected from submitted proposals to be developed under the Ilima programme, while delegates will also establish commissions and adopt resolutions aimed at producing measurable outcomes.
“Day Two will see resolutions being passed and commissions being created. Our mandate this year is to achieve practical solutions that will result in more empowerment programmes and measurable improvements in the sector.”
Although only in its second year, GADA has already spearheaded several initiatives, including the Artistes Empowerment Day in partnership with Thobela Arts Foundation, an acting masterclass facilitated by acclaimed South African actress Dawn Thandeka King during Imiklomelo kaDakamela and the coordination of a Zimbabwean delegation to the Global Creative Summit in South Africa. The delegation included National Arts Council of Zimbabwe chief executive Napoleon Nyanhi, Amakhosi Cultural Centre director Gcina Mhlanga, alongside representatives from the media and marketing sectors.
This year’s High Tea is expected to attract influential figures from Zimbabwe’s cultural landscape, among them Napoleon Nyanhi, National Gallery of Zimbabwe director Silenkosi Moyo, Saimon Mambazo Phiri, Thapelo Pule, representatives from the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Kingdom Blue chief executive Dr Brilliant
Ncube and, subject to availability, Chief Dakamela.
Gog Bekezela said the gathering is designed for arts managers, administrators, producers, event curators, industry leaders and aspiring creative entrepreneurs.
“This is a premium event and we want to lead by example. We want arts administrators to experience elegance, excellence and professionalism because administration is the backbone of every successful creative industry.”
He also appealed to the corporate sector to partner with the initiative. Amakhosi Cultural Centre, PES and Lady Tshawe Productions have already confirmed their support, with more organisations expected to come on board.
Gog Bekezela’s ambition however, stretches beyond the annual conference. Through GADA, he hopes to establish a fully integrated creative hub offering artiste management, recording facilities, production services, training, bookings and distribution – a one-stop centre designed to professionalise Zimbabwe’s creative industries.
“We intend to become global leaders in the coming years by hosting world creative leaders and showcasing Zimbabwe as an example of a viable creative ecosystem.”
