Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, creatives were left stranded, their incomes almost depleted after a standstill in the arts sector. It was at this point when Kay Media Africa and UK-based Reprezent Radio collaborated to create the Scripts and Bars, a new project that seeks to enhance the digital content creation capacity and enterprise skills of creatives and arts organizations in Zimbabwe.
The project that is supported by British Council in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has drawn in the Page Poetry Alive, Khura Agency, and Comexposed to facilitate events and workshops.
A hundred creatives have been chosen for the project that runs from November 2021 to September 2022.
These lucky ones, mainly within the music and literature sectors are currently going through digital and enterprise skills training and will be awarded grants for digital content creation projects and to explore new and sustainable business models.
Creatives who got a chance to attend the Scripts and Bars project did not hide their excitement towards the initiative.
When asked about how she felt about the initiative, Harare born and bred poet Tiffany Tanyaradzwa Nyikadzino also known as (aka) Efuru – Daughter of Heaven said Script and Bars is a necessary tool towards the revolutionary growth of art and its appreciation.
Another poet Thandokuhle Sibanda aka Tinkie Thandoe said she is happy to be part of something tailor-made for artists in Zimbabwe with not much to invest or plow into their art, especially financially.
Patrick Zindoga, who claims to be Zimbabwe’s first online comedian said “I feel very fortunate and privileged to be part of this organization, sharing and networking with some of the greatest creatives in this country, it’s so humbling and it’s a big opportunity to learn and grow.”
One other poet, Rutendo Muzivani going by the name Lexi said, “Scripts and bars is a heartwarming and very interesting program which I am happy to be a part of because it has made me a better version of myself from the beginning.”
Participants in the program also revealed what they were benefitting from Scripts and Bars.
Engaged to understand what she was benefitting from the program, Vuyelwa Khumalo aka Vuyo, who has spent seven years as a musician said he is gaining more knowledge in the music industry, and knowing the steps and strategic ways to take towards shifting the music career to the place he desires it to be.
Content creator, Tatenda Zimbandu Gwumure aka Ultrapoet’s response was that he got a community of inspiring young creatives to connect, share ideas, collaborate and grow.
A poet, Sondlane Dube aka Sox the Poet said, “It (Scripts and Bars) has made me aware of the little things that I took for granted in growing my art and becoming a creative who is market-ready and a brand to reckon with. It also is a great platform for networking, collaboration, and fun.”
Ronal Takudzwa Mutatabika (Mr. Loyal) said, “I am benefiting a lot from the Scripts and bars program. From the workshop we have had so far, l have a lot about how to turn my career into a business through creative entrepreneurship. I have also learn’t about digital marketing and l learn’t how l can market my work online. Mostly, l have learn’t that as a creative, l should have a plan of what l want to achieve and how l will achieve that.”
Scripts and Bars is also helping to tackle challenges faced by creatives.
A 23-year-old musician, Kim Makumbe said, “I’ve managed to secure a brilliant management team to help with that dilemma and the Scripts and Bars project is helping me with the necessary information to ensure my art is as impactful as it should be.”
