Zimbabwean arts guru Chidochemoyo Gutu is renowned for a bevvy of successes, establishments and initiatives across the SADC region.
For one, it could be for playing in the national basketball team in 1992, the all-Africa games team in 1995, and consistently playing as a number 1 point guard. For another, it could be for pushing the Zimbabwean art envelope, an area she is so distinguished for her multi-creative disciplines and using various techniques and styles.
All the same, she describes herself as someone who is very passionate about arts – particularly amongst the youth – and a seasoned marketing and communications professional who has delivered results in the areas of marketing communications, strategy, value chain management, customer life cycle management, product strategy and project management within the advertising sector.
Born in Zimbabwe, Ms Gutu spent most of her youth years in Australia, tapping and understanding different cultures and art business trends from one of the world’s most highly urbanised country globally famous for its natural wonders, wide-open spaces, beaches, deserts, “The Bush”, and “The Outback”.
I Had 🦠Corona Virus But I Didn’t Even Know
Equipped with a rich marketing background and passion for arts upon her return to the home country, she started the LET THEM Trust in 2008. Feeling a responsibility to the country’s past and future ancestors and in an effort to sustain the spirit, history and cultural heritage of Africa, making sure society never diminishes the role they played and continue to play in the country, the trust initially focused on conducting workshops in the form of Ngano/traditional folktales in schools. Now a platform to bridge one country to another, one person to another, and one time to another, the trust has since evolved into hosting a schools arts festival that showcases visual arts, theatre, poetry, fashion and music. Of late, it is constructing a youth cultural village in Domboshava, a village in the province of Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe.
Ms Gutu is also the CEO and founder of Chido Advertising P/L, a 360 advertising agency. The firm advertises products and has partnered with several NGOs, parastatal, ministries in carrying out awareness campaigns on development-oriented issues.
Besides her marketing and tourism qualifications, she is a qualified systematic family therapist who intends to use her gained skills and knowledge in mending family relations in the community.
Sha Sha Starts Off The Year With Fire
A hardworking leader (Chido Advertising CEO, LET THEM Trust Founder and Director, Ammara Brown Music- Manager, Chimanimani Arts festival), leader and a key member in forums such as Agora Zimbabwe, Vimbainashe Learning Institute-Board Member and the Music Management Forum, Ms Gutu strongly believes that success comes through endeavour.
An art guru, multigenerational and multidisciplinary creative impacting beyond Zimbabwe, she was honored with a Nobel prize by a Malawian organization NASFEST for her contribution to the sector.
Editorial: This month, #enthuse, through our #SheCreatesMarch feature series, celebrates the work of thirty-one Zimbabwean women creatives, the contributions and achievements they have made throughout history, culture, and society. The idea is to elevate visibility for commercial projects and commissions. Discover the work of avant-garde creatives who embody the spirit of the month by uplifting and empowering women. Representing diverse backgrounds and disciplines, these women share one thing in common: their dedication to supporting women and sharing their stories through art and creativity. We are thrilled to share their work. And this month is about them. #ChooseToChallenge
