Sonkomose embraces cross-border residency as she prepares for poetry album debut

Award-winning spoken word artiste Sonkomose is embracing a new chapter in her creative journey as she joins a cross-border arts residency designed to inspire collaboration, cultural exchange and artistic growth.

The Bulawayo-based poet is among six young women creatives taking part in the second cohort of the Zambezi Meet-up Arts Residency, which runs from July 23 to 26 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and Livingstone, Zambia.

The initiative brings together three creatives from Zimbabwe and three from Zambia for an immersive programme centred on spoken word, storytelling, cultural exploration and collaborative creation.

Representing Bulawayo alongside fellow poet Lwazi Mthembo, Sonkomose believes the residency arrives at a significant point in her career as she prepares to expand her artistic footprint.
“I’m ready for the Zambezi Meet-up Arts Residency and I’m looking forward to networking with Zambian poets and learning different cultures as well as grow my craft through collaborations,” she said.

For the celebrated poet, 2026 has already been a year of artistic ambition, with the residency coinciding with preparations for the release of her debut poetry album and a series of accompanying visual productions.
“2026 is a restless year for me, already we are half way through and I still have an album to release and visuals for some of the poems…as well as making sure that the fruits of this programme last long and add value to my craft by end of year,” she added.

Sonkomose has already recorded five tracks for the upcoming project, which is expected to be released next month. The album will feature collaborations with acclaimed creatives including Charles Mahlaba, Bhila and South African slam poetry champion Poet Lethu Nkwanyana, among others.

The Zambezi Meet-up Arts Residency is built around creating spaces where young female poets from Zimbabwe and Zambia can exchange ideas, explore shared cultural experiences and use storytelling as a tool for connection.

During the programme, participants take part in poetry workshops, mentorship sessions, guest lectures, creative discussions, collaborative writing, production sessions, radio engagements and networking activities with artists from both countries.

The residency also includes cultural visits and experiential learning activities, allowing participants to draw inspiration from the communities, landscapes and environments around the Zambezi River.

This year’s edition builds on the success of the inaugural cohort held in February 2026, which brought together four female artists from Bulawayo and Lusaka in a creative environment that encouraged artistic freedom, collaboration and cultural exchange. The first edition focused on strengthening creative partnerships among young female artists, promoting storytelling through indigenous languages and documenting participants’ experiences through an anthology of creative works and reflections.

The second cohort introduces the theme “Coexistence”, exploring the relationship between people, wildlife, culture and the environment while examining how art can contribute to conversations around sustainability and conservation.

Organisers say the programme aims to deepen regional artistic collaboration between Zimbabwean and Zambian creatives while increasing the visibility and impact of the work produced by participants.

The three-day residency follows a structured programme that includes discussions on coexistence, community and conservation-focused excursions, collaborative writing sessions and the recording of spoken-word performances, with audio-visual documentation capturing the creative process.

Beyond artistic development, the initiative seeks to address gaps in representation by creating opportunities for young women creatives who are often underrepresented in the arts sector.

It also shines a spotlight on artists from regions such as Bulawayo, whose talent continues to grow despite limited national exposure, while encouraging sustainable and environmentally conscious approaches to creative production. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu