Tendai Gukutikwa
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
IN a vibrant celebration of art and advocacy, a group of young artists in Mutare has transformed a 120 square-metre wall at La Ola Restaurant into a striking, bold, educative and visually arresting mural to raise awareness on environmental sustainability and inspire meaningful community reflection.
The project, which is the brainchild of Mutare Tales, in partnership with Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and La Ola Restaurant, was conceptualised to blend artistic expression with educational outreach.
It was done by a group of young artists from Mutare under the mentorship of Lucy Malpeli from Italy, who volunteered to assist during her visit to Zimbabwe.
The mural, positioned in a public space, uptown, invites both locals and visitors to reflect on vital environmental themes.
More than just a decorative piece, it serves as a visual conversation starter, prompting awareness and dialogue around sustainable practices and ecological responsibility.
Mutare Tales project manager, Tawanda Ndlovu said the project aims to raise awareness about environmental sustainability through the creative process of murals, while engaging youths and communities in environmental issues so that they can take ownership and make the project their own.
Mutare Tales is an innovative art association that provides a platform for young emerging artists in Mutare.
It seeks to nurture the next generation of artists, and help them develop their skills through exposure, mentorship and training programmes.
Art is an emotional and universal language.
Powerful imagery, poems, songs, sculptures, among others can inspire action and educate the local community about sustainable practices.
Among other objectives, the project aims to raise awareness about environmental sustainability through the creative process of murals, engaging the youths and the communities in environmental issues so that they can take ownership and make the project their own, initiate the necessary dialogue and commitment from different stakeholders with a view of establishing more collaborations and change the mindset of communities by projecting art not as a hobby, but powerful tool that can inspire positive change.
“We believe in the transformative power of art and creativity to inspire, educate and engage communities as we raise awareness on critical societal and global issues. This approach intends to intertwine entertaining and educational aspects through the work with the artists, who would act as forces of positive change.
As an art association, we have taken up environmental sustainability issues as one of our themes for 2025. The first major initiative is an educative murals depicting the same theme through our partnership with the Environmental Management Agency and La Ola Restaurant, where the approximately 120 square-metre wall is located. This projected was started on April 25, 2025 and ended on May 5, although there were a lot of stages in the planning phase prior.
“What is amazing about this project is that the artists involved, all between 19 and 25 years, had never worked with paint, but their willingness to learn, hard work, commitment, teamwork and artistic talent resulted in what is surely a master piece right in the heart of Mutare. The artists involved are Blessing Chisehwa, Lameck Ngwerume, Tavonga Zembe, Junior Banda, Simba Mwateteni, Cruz Mupoga, Pomerai Godknows, London Mhandu and Alisha Machumi,” she said.
The artists have, not only left their mark on a wall, but have also ignited a movement where art becomes a catalyst for change.
Ndlovu said besides the local community, tourists are often drawn to unique artistic expressions, especially those with strong cultural and environmental messages. The mural can be promoted as an eco-tourism landmark, where visitors can learn about sustainability efforts in Manicaland.
Tourists often gravitate toward local art, especially when it embodies cultural significance and social responsibility. This mural offers both, wrapped in bold colours and compelling messages.
“This is the first of more murals to come on the same theme and other themes like mental health in relation to substance and drug abuse, youth development and empowerment and others, in consultation with stakeholders and feedback from the communities so as to achieve positive effective impact through the power of art,” added Ndlovu.
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