Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
THE arts scene in Bulawayo is changing, and at the centre of it is Nkululeko Innocent Dube. Through his work with the Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts (IYASA), he is helping young Zimbabweans find their place on the world stage. His Isiphiwo International Programme is not just about performance — it is about growth, exposure, and giving young people a chance to see the world and understand themselves better.
Earlier this week, the 2026 group arrived in Germany, continuing a journey that has grown far beyond what it started as. What began as a cultural exchange has now become a life-changing experience for many young people who pass through it.
Dube says the programme has developed naturally over time, shaped largely by the young people who take part in it.
“There is something quietly wonderful about watching a programme find its rhythm through the people who move through it. The Isiphiwo exchange has grown with every team — not because of any grand design, but because young people keep bringing something new, something unexpected, something deeply their own to the experience,” Dube says.
The strong impact of last year’s group has played a big role in raising the profile of the programme. In 2025, Gugulethu Matshazi Dube, Banele Moyo, Hassan Muzorori, Fortune Ndlovu, and Lauratta Phiri represented Zimbabwe in Germany and left a lasting impression.
According to Dube, their growth was not only seen in their performances, but also in their personal development. He describes it as an “inner settling” — a sense of maturity and confidence that came from the experience.
This has led to a sharp rise in interest. This year, more than 120 young people applied for the programme, but only five could be selected.
“That number speaks to how deeply young Zimbabweans hunger for spaces where they can grow, explore, and be seen. Sadly, we can only welcome five of them this time. Turning away so many talented, eager individuals is never something we take lightly,” he notes.
Getting into the programme is not easy. Dube says talent alone is not enough. The selection process looks closely at discipline, attitude, and readiness to handle the pressure of travelling and performing in a foreign country.
“We always say this clearly: discipline is the foundation, and talent is what you build upon it. Raw artistic ability will only take you so far—it is the disciplined young person who can harness that talent and direct it with purpose and consistency,” Dube said.
During the selection workshops, the team looks for young people who are curious, open-minded, and able to work well with others. It is not just about performing well, but also about how individuals carry themselves and connect with others.
“When we see a young person who listens as well as they perform, who uplifts a peer as readily as they shine themselves, that is our green flag,” Dube says.
This year’s selected group — Princess Sibanda, Lwazilwenkosi Nyoni, Gabriella L. Mpofu, Sharon T. Ncube, and Simba Matyarutya — now carry the responsibility of representing both the programme and the country. They follow in the footsteps of previous participants such as Dorcas Ngwenya and Nqobizitha Ncube, who performed in Germany last year.
A key part of the experience is how the students live while they are abroad. Instead of staying in hotels, they are placed with host families. This allows them to experience daily life in a different country up close.
“That domestic, human connection is not incidental to the programme – it is the programme. Anyone can travel. Not everyone is given the gift of truly belonging somewhere foreign, even briefly, and learning to feel at home within a culture that is not their own,” Dube asserts.
Most of the participants are at a stage where they have just finished secondary school and are trying to figure out their next steps in life. Living in a different country helps them reflect on who they are and what they believe in. It also teaches them to understand and respect people from different backgrounds.
The group’s time in Germany is not only about learning — it is also about sharing Zimbabwean culture. This year, they will perform in two main productions, both aimed at addressing real-life issues.
The first, Climate of Change, focuses on environmental challenges and encourages young people to take the lead in finding solutions. The second, Roots to Rhythm, is a lively production that showcases Zimbabwean music and dance to different audiences.
Their schedule is busy, with performances and workshops planned in several cities, including Hamburg, Berlin, Ahrensburg, Gottingen, Kolln, Saarland, and Essenburg.
Their work will form part of projects such as Creactiv, Kreativ Global, and KinderKulturKarawane.
Despite the demanding schedule, Dube expects the team to give their best at all times. He believes they are not just representing themselves, but the country as a whole.
“This year’s team does not step into the unknown; they step into a legacy. We expect them to give everything they have on every stage, in every workshop, and in every shared meal around a host family’s table,” he says.
In the end, the goal of the programme goes beyond the five participants. Dube hopes their experience will inspire others back home, especially those who applied but were not selected.
“That is how a programme grows into a movement. That is what Isiphiwo is quietly, steadily building – one cohort at a time,” Dube concludes.
Through this work, Dube and IYASA are helping to close the gap between Bulawayo and the world. They are showing that when young Zimbabweans are given the opportunity, they can do more than perform — they can grow, lead, and represent their country with pride. — Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
Colletta Dube