Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Zimbabwean cultural professional, arts journalist, and creative entrepreneur Sithokozile Sibanda has achieved another milestone in her illustrious career as the sole representative from Southern Africa at the 2025 Cultural Partnership Initiative (CPI) Global Connect Workshop, currently taking place in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
The fully sponsored programme, organised by the CPI Secretariat, the Cultural Partnership Initiative Office, and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), has brought together 40 exceptional artistes and cultural practitioners from 27 countries.
Among the participating nations are Zimbabwe, the United States, Mexico, Vietnam, Russia, Türkiye, Kenya, Brazil, Canada, Mongolia, Ghana, India, Australia, Germany, Georgia, Argentina, the Philippines, Lithuania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Japan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Belgium, Senegal, Denmark, Bolivia, Tanzania, and the United Kingdom.
Running until today, the workshop has explored the theme “Cultural Convergence Era – Technology and Digital Transformation,” offering a platform for creativity, collaboration, and cross-cultural exchange.
For Sibanda, the experience has been both enriching and transformative.
“I’ve immersed myself in intensive sessions on project design, cultural proposal writing, design thinking, and the use of emerging technologies such as AI, VR, AR, XR, big data, and K-VFX.
“Guided by experts including Professor Young-hun Hur, Joon-Soo Ha, and Jeong-Han Kim, I also learnt how to apply frameworks such as the KASH Rule (Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, and Habits) and the Theory of Circle’s Expansion to design meaningful and impactful cultural projects,” she shared.
Sibanda’s participation highlights Zimbabwe’s growing footprint in global cultural discourse, positioning her as a voice for Southern Africa on the international stage. – Follow on X: @mthabisi_mthire
