Gwanda creator building from home

What I’ve learned is that you don’t need to travel to Harare to be known. Start where you are and start small. Don’t use the lack of a professional camera as an excuse”

When Lincoln Magabo took the floor at the inaugural Content Creators Connect in Gwanda on Saturday, he wasn’t just another face in the crowd. He was living proof of the event’s core message: you can build a career from where you are.
Held at Mount Cazalet Hall and organised by T Schedule, the event brought together creators, industry speakers and hundreds of supporters. But for Magabo, one line from guest speaker Mai TT stood out.
“What I’ve learned is that you don’t need to travel to Harare to be known. Start where you are and start small. Don’t use the lack of a professional camera as an excuse — your phone can be enough to get started,” said Magabo after the event.
From viral video to multi-hyphenate, Magabo, 27, is a Gwanda-based comedian, musician, actor, storyteller and social media influencer.

He first caught attention in 2020 after a comedy skit went viral online. That moment pushed him to take content creation seriously.
Over the last five years, he has developed a style that blends comedy, storytelling, music and social commentary. Much of his content reflects everyday life in Matabeleland, using humour to tackle issues while promoting positive messages.
“Collaborate with other creators, support each other, and build a wider audience together. Most importantly, be real and stay true to yourself. When you remain authentic, you can maintain your standards and grow without losing who you are,” he said.
The work has not gone unnoticed, with Magabo being named TESMA Best Comedian in 2020. In 2023, he was listed among the Top 20 Most Influential People in Matabeleland South. The Municipality of Gwanda honoured him with a certificate in 2024.
This year, he won Social Media Influencer of the Year at both the Gwanda District and Matabeleland South Provincial levels.
Beyond entertainment, Magabo also serves as an Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Champion with the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council in Matabeleland South, using his platform to share educational messages.
Building Gwanda’s creative economy: Magabo says his vision is to grow as a professional entertainer, work with major brands, and collaborate with other artists to put Matabeleland and Zimbabwe on a wider stage.
Event organiser T Schedule said the turnout proved there is an appetite for creative spaces outside Harare.
“The support we got shows that our people are ready for this. We want to challenge misconceptions about Gwanda and prove that we have talent that can produce and support quality content,” he said, adding that next year’s edition will feature international acts.
For Magabo, Content Creators Connect was more than a networking event. It was confirmation that Gwanda stories, told with a phone and consistency, can travel far.