Andile Tshuma, Zimpapers writer
EXHIBITORS at the inaugural Kuzana Sport and Creative Economy Expo of Zimbabwe (SCEEZ) have expressed excitement over the opportunities presented by the platform, as Zimbabwe seeks to harness sport and the creative industries as drivers of economic growth.
The five-day expo is underway at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair’s Smart City in Bulawayo, bringing together players from sport, arts, entertainment and business.
The inaugural gathering comes as the country looks beyond the traditional sporting arena to explore the wider economic value of sport, including sponsorship, broadcasting, branding, merchandising, tourism, infrastructure and employment.
Veteran poet and arts practitioner Albert Nyathi said the convergence of sport and the creative sector presented opportunities for local talent to find new markets and build sustainable livelihoods.
“We are glad that this conversation is finally happening and hope it will create a strong foundation for the future of the creative economy in the country,” he said.
For football clubs, the expo provides an opportunity to showcase the business side of the game and explore partnerships that can strengthen the sustainability of sporting institutions.
Chicken Inn Football Club media officer Brighton Ncube said the expo had created an important platform for clubs and other stakeholders to engage on opportunities beyond football itself.
“This is a great opportunity for clubs to showcase their business side of things and fue us, we are showcasing merchandise under our new brand 2piecer. It’s also a great opportunity for athletes to network and learn about investing, and understanding their profession as more of a business and career than just talent,” he said.
The creative sector is also expected to benefit from the increased focus on the commercialisation of local talent.
Crafts Are Us representative Sharon Ndiweni said the expo was providing artists and creative practitioners with an opportunity to connect with potential clients, partners and markets.
“We are proud to showcase our crafts and hope that through this expo we will be empowered to access other markets and be able to export our creative work, as well as interact with other creatives,” she said.
The expo is being convened by the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in strategic partnership with Nhimbe Trust, which is serving as the technical partner.
Running under the theme “From Talent to GDP: Driving Zimbabwe’s Creative Industries,” the programme combines exhibitions, conferences, sporting competitions, an arts showcase and a musical concert.
The Kuzana Sports Industry Conference, which is part of the expo, is focusing on the commercial potential of sport, with discussions covering areas such as sports infrastructure, the business of play, branding and investment.
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga is expected to officially open the conference, with Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Ambassador Sanyatwe representing him.
The conference has brought together prominent figures from Zimbabwean and international sport, including International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry, ICC deputy chairperson Tavengwa Mukuhlani, African Union Sports Council chief executive Stanley Mutoya and Zimbabwe cricket captain Sikandar Raza.
The organisers say the broader ambition is to position Zimbabwe as a regional hub for sport and creative economy development and an exporter by 2030.
For exhibitors, however, the immediate focus is on making connections, showcasing talent and turning the growing interest in sport and creativity into tangible economic opportunities.
