Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
IN a city where funding for the arts remains thin, Bulawayo artistes are turning to an old-age system, barter-trade, to keep the stage lights on.
A growing number of local festivals and events are now operating on a “you give me stage, I give you sound” model, where musicians, dancers, comedians and poets offer their performance for free, while festival organisers in return provide them with technical support, stage time, lighting, marketing, access to new audiences and support at their solo events.
What was once seen as exploitation is now being reframed by many as strategic unity and the recent Makokoba Music Festival second edition is testimony to that.
The model has become common at community festivals in Bulawayo’s high-density suburbs and in rural areas where organisers have limited budgets but big ambitions.
Instead of cash, the currency is service.
Veteran arts administrator, Cont Mhlanga, once said Bulawayo’s strength was its ability to create
from nothing and this new wave appears to be living that philosophy.
For emerging artistes, the system is a lifeline. Festivals give them what money cannot buy in
Bulawayo: a captive audience.
In a city that has long complained about being overlooked by the national spotlight, this tit-for-tat system is quietly creating a circuit.
The Makokoba Festival is testimony of leadership excellence among the board led by chairman — Councillor Lezina Mohamed. Mohamed leads a fortress team that includes Tendai Winya Mudimu (Festival Director-Artistic), Councillor Melisa Mabeza (Festival Co- Director Administration) and Christensen Mapuranga (Festival Manager).
The artistes in the grand deal include Mzoe7, Hwabaraty, Butholezwe, Khaya Arts, Bhila, Insimbi ZeZhwane, SaMaNgwe and Mlambos Express Band, Mxolisi Mr. Bones, Abigail Mabuza Godolude, Asante Mo, Mlue Jay, Ricky Ice, Lights WakoBulawayo, Mlue Jay, Spoonky, Mahlaba, Basotho,
Amabhubesi, Umfana ka Jeroti, TIA (Gazelimnyama).
To make such a success, a number of people brought through their resources and these include The City of Bulawayo, TTI Parking Solutions, Fire Force Security, Mr Sinkwa, Great Flavours, So Much Music, Sadee lens Work, CNC Productions, Sports Zone, Neo Mandela Cleaning Solutions, The
Duke Foundation and Home of the Arts (PRACA Awards).
Mapuranga said the agreement has been a real deal which has seen one of the city’s popular places to emerge talented artistes, Makokoba, blooming once again.
“The operation of the has been on service exchange deals for most where we’ve provided sound, stage, screens and other support services to many of them.
“This has been in exchange for their support at the festival and then a few were sponsored by our partners who we are grateful for the continued support,” said Mapuranga.
He said the festival is a brain child of Winya Sounds whose founder (Tendai Winya Mudiki) was born and bred in Makokoba.
“So the festival is firstly about giving back to our home community. The festival is also about responding to an emerging gap or void in the city.
“A lot of traditional festivals which are about celebrating and supporting arts and culture are disappearing because of financial challenges or giving way to commercial “festivals” which may not be affordable for many arts lovers and do not also give platforms for growth to emerging musicians,” he said.
Mapuranga said the Makokoba Festival was there to ensure that Bulawayo still had a vibrant festival for artistes to showcase their gifts.
“The festival is therefore coming in to ensure that there still remains a festival in the city that is purely driven by the need to grow the craft rather than a bank balance.
“Our objectives are to grow home talent — Bulawayo first and providing a door way to regional festivals as through providing a festival stage that enhances experience and portfolios. We want to enhance audience experience by creating an immersive experience that lives a lasting and enjoyable experience and impact on our audience,” said Mapuranga. Follow on X :@mthabisi_mthire
