Pembe Tokluhan, Mildred Moyo’s revolutionary collaboration

PEMBE Tokluhan, a Cypriot entrepreneur based in the UK, is challenging the male-dominated creative industry. Her company, Petok Productions, is committed to promoting diversity and equity, creating inclusive spaces for women worldwide.

Recently, she partnered with Zimbabwean lighting designer Mildred Moyo, and their collaboration promises to reshape the creative landscape.

The pair are in discussions to see how Tokluhan can bring her expertise to enhance Moyo’s lighting design Masterclass as well as the annual Phenomenal Festival of Lights.

Moyo, born in Bulawayo, etched her name into the history books after graduating with a Master of Arts (MA) in Light in Performance at Rose Bruford College in London in September, making her the first black African woman to complete the prestigious programme.

On the other hand, Tokluhan’s journey into backstage production began with her studies in music production and business. As the only woman in a class of 59 men, she realised the industry’s stark lack of diversity. This epiphany sparked a passion to create safe spaces for under-represented groups. Through Petok Productions, Tokluhan provides mentoring, shadowing opportunities, training masterclasses, and work opportunities for associates.

Moyo, a trailblazer in her own right, brings her expertise and resilience to the collaboration. As one of the few women lighting engineers in Zimbabwe, she has tirelessly worked to create opportunities for women in lighting.

In an interview with Saturday Leisure from her UK base, Tokluhan praised Moyo’s dedication.

“I was introduced to Mildred through a mutual lighting friend that I have known for some years. He told me about Mildred being one of the few women in lighting design in Zimbabwe and that I should meet her and get her to join the Petok network. She is a very inspiring and resilient individual who has tried non-stop to create space for women to get into lighting in Zimbabwe,” said Tokluhan.

Petok Productions is a production company dedicated to creating safe, inclusive environments for creative women. Through mentoring, shadowing opportunities, training masterclasses, and work opportunities, Petok Productions empowers individuals to thrive in the creative industry and has been curating training in Africa. Their partnership is built on shared values and a passion for empowering creative women.

Tokluhan’s experience in diversity consultancy informs her work, ensuring that Petok Productions creates inclusive environments where everyone feels represented and supported. The collaboration between Tokluhan and Moyo has far-reaching implications for young women in Zimbabwe and beyond. By providing training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, they aim to bridge the gap between under-representation and equal access.

“Under-representation, unequal access to opportunities, lack of visibility, and hostile work environments are just a few challenges faced by creative women. We need to intentionally create pathways for these individuals, celebrating and amplifying their work, and fostering a culture of respect and accountability,” explained Tokluhan.

Through initiatives like Generation Uncovered, a collaborative project that provided rehearsal spaces, performances, and mentoring support, Tokluhan has fostered a sense of community among emerging artists and technicians. For Tokluhan, the future is bright. She envisions Petok Productions becoming the go-to production company for hiring professional women. With Petok Academy, she hopes to expand training, shadowing, and mentoring opportunities, empowering individuals to thrive in backstage roles.

To young creatives, particularly those from under-represented backgrounds, Tokluhan offered sage advice:
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Grow your network, because your network is your net worth!”
Tokluhan has never been to Zimbabwe but said the idea of touching down to lend her expertise excites her. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu