Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
DECORATED visual artist, Moffat Takadiwa, has been recognised for his phenomenal talent by winning the grand prize at the Toyota Tsusho CFAO African Awards.
The founder of Mbare Art Space was selected from around 100 nominees across Africa.
The grand prize winner and four additional exhibitions will be showcased in Togo, Japan, and France.
Takadiwa came in first, followed by Gosette Lubondo from the DRC and Unathi Mkonto from South Africa.
Other awards went to Katlego Twala from Botswana and Tizta Berhanu from Ethiopia.
The internationally-acclaimed arts hub, Semiose Galerie, of Paris, France, shared a post congratulating Takadiwa:
“Our sincere thanks go to Toyota Tsusho Corporation, curators, and critics who nominated artists from across Africa, as well as to the jury members.
“The inaugural edition of this new cultural initiative, aimed at supporting and promoting the next generation of African artists, also awarded two Distinguished Awards to Gosette Lubondo and Unathi Mkonto, and two Sponsor Awards to Katlego C.L. Twala and Tizta Berhanu; congratulations to them as well.
“Moffat Takadiwa and all winners’ works will be exhibited starting in June 2026 at the Palais de Lomé (Togo), followed by exhibitions in Japan (Tokyo, October 2026) and France (Palais de Tokyo, April 2027).”
Takadiwa has been using materials such as bottle caps, plastic waste, toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste and computer keys.
Contest organisers hailed Takadiwa, along with four other winners, for their exceptional talent.
“Art is not an accessory to society, it is one of the ways in which societies reflect, question, and project themselves into the future.
“With more than 170 years of presence across the African continent, it is natural for CFAO to engage alongside artists and communities.
“Through The Toyota Tsusho CFAO African Art Award, we want to support the diversity of contemporary practices emerging from Africa and help carry these voices and the continent’s cultural radiance far beyond its borders,” said Richard Bielle, chairman and chief executive officer of CFAO.
In a statement, the jury noted that The Toyota Tsusho CFAO African Art Award was dedicated to emerging contemporary artists from the African continent.
“At a time when African contemporary art is gaining visibility in biennials, museums, and art fairs worldwide, The Toyota Tsusho CFAO African Art Award aims to offer a structured, long-term platform for artists working on the continent.
“Established in August 2025 by Toyota Tsusho Corporation and CFAO, it is designed to help nurture the next generation of African talent and support vibrant, resilient communities.
“For this first edition, 35 art professionals, including curators and art critics active around the world, proposed approximately 100 artists, representing a wide range of local art scenes across Africa.
Takadiwa is a multi-award-winning visual artist who has been in the field for years. He studied Fine Art at Harare College, Zimbabwe.
Two years ago, he exhibited internationally, including at the 60th Venice Biennale (2024) and the São Paulo Biennale (2025).
His work has also featured in notable institutional shows such as Galerie Édouard-Manet (France), Craft Contemporary (Los Angeles, USA), and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (Harare).
Locally, he has been empowering upcoming visual artists, and he is credited with putting Zimbabwe on the world map.
Mathew Masinge