Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma,Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
CHENHAKA Trust is hosting a week-long Young Culture Actors Residency in Bulawayo, a programme aimed at nurturing the next generation of creative talents, cultural entrepreneurs, and arts advocates in Zimbabwe.
The residency, which began on Sunday and runs until Saturday at a local hotel, has brought together 12 promising theatre practitioners aged between 18 and 35 from all provinces of the country.
Chenhaka Trust partnered with Savanna Trust, a Norton-based arts organisation that uses creative expression for social development. The organisation is known for its arts training and mentorship programmes that equip artists and cultural practitioners with knowledge and skills in theatre-making and arts management.
Two resident facilitators, Daniel Maposa, a renowned cultural policy and arts management trainer, and Teddy Mangawa, a Zimbabwean graduate of Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre in Blue Lake, California, are leading the sessions. Mangawa, who is a 2024–2026 fellow of the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University, also served as Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Theatre Association from 2016 to 2021 and is a two-time National Arts Merit Award-winning actor and director.
Chenhaka Trust director Taurai Moyo said the initiative is designed to foster artistic exchange, collaboration, and innovation while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the arts sector.
“The primary goal of the residency is to amplify the impact of these young culture actors, equipping them with the tools, confidence, and creative vision necessary to become powerful voices and cultural leaders in their communities,” said Moyo.
“The curated programme includes workshops, masterclasses, and discussions led by industry experts, providing a solid foundation for professional success and civic engagement. Investing in our young artists is investing in the social and economic future of Zimbabwe.”
The CfCA Young Culture Actors Residency also provides an essential platform for emerging professionals to build networks, share experiences, and collaborate towards a more dynamic and sustainable future for Zimbabwean theatre and the broader creative industries. – Follow on X: @mthabisi_mthire
