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Muchaneta Chimuka, Arts Correspondent
Zimbabwe’s leading annual gathering on digital media, civic tech, and the creative economy, Hub UnConference roars to life in September with several local and international speakers expected to take part.
The two-day event is set to run from September 24 to 25 at Moto Republik in Harare.
The 10th Edition “Hub UnConference” has grown from strength to strength over the years of its existence. This year the conference will run under the theme, “Level Up, a clarion call for young people to keep up with emerging trends such as AI and adopt technology for the positive good”.
Giving an insight about this upcoming event, the show coordinator, Gracious Nyathi, said the Hub UnConference programming will include a series of fireside chats, lightning talks, captivating show-cases, panel discussions, and master classes.
“There will be cutting-edge talks by Kenyan Comic, Justine Wanda, Senegalese musician, Makhtar Fall widely known as Xuman, Dr. Millie Phiri from Conversation Africa (South Africa), Antonio Kisemboi from Media-Challenge Initiative Hub (Uganda), Steve Horn from Politically Aweh (South Africa), Nkosinathi Mcetywa from Civic Tech Innovation Network, and leading Zimbabwean academic Professor Nehemiah Chivandikwa,” she said.
She added that over the years the Hub UnConference has attracted students, media practitioners, new media start-ups, and tech enthusiasts and this year they will be focusing on emerging trends in media, climate justice, civic tech, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Previous editions of the Hub Unconference have featured distinguished speakers from both local and international backgrounds, such as Alice McCool from The Guardian UK, Robyn Kriel of CNN, Raheela Mohammed from Al Jazeera, and Lindiwe Zulu from the ANC, among others.
Nyathi said this year will not be different from previous editions.
“This year promises some really exciting new elements to the programme, as we investigate how, amid conflict, misinformation, and environmental crises, we can leverage digital media, civic technology, and artistic activism to “level up” by amplifying the voices of youth, women, and marginalised communities, fostering impactful dialogues, and seeking solutions to significant societal and global challenges,”
The Hub Unconference will feature the Open Africa Data Summit, uniting some of the continent’s brightest minds to discuss the essential role of data in governance, transparency, and civic engagement.
She said this year’s Open Africa Data Summit will highlight speakers from five African nations, showcasing innovative ideas and initiatives in the open data field.
“This year’s edition of the Open Data Africa Summit will convene influential bloggers, scholars, prominent activists, and developers from Africa’s foremost open data initiatives, representing nations such as Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, and Zimbabwe. Participants will engage in a variety of panel discussions, including topics like journalism in the AI era,” she said.
The Open Data Africa Summit is being organised with assistance from the Consortium for the Protection of Human Rights, Civic Freedoms, and Media Development in Sub-Saharan Africa, known as Charm Africa and this consortium comprises seven organisations, including Wits Journalism, Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), Defend Defenders, Civil Rights Defenders, Civicus, Fojo Media Institute, and Magamba Network.
The two days are free entry with only a requirement to register on their website for logistical purposes.
Scholars, educators, tech enthusiasts, climate activists, and journalists are encouraged to attend.
The Hub Unconference is part of Zimbabwe’s longest-running urban culture celebration, the Shoko Festival. Both initiatives are organised by Magamba Network, a pioneering organisation in Africa’s creative and digital media landscape.
Online Reporter