HARARE – Zimbabwe’s longest-running urban culture festival, Shoko Festival, has burst into life in Harare for its 16th edition. The festival is running from the 23rd to the 26th of September in Harare and Chitungwiza under the theme “Unmuted.”
This year’s edition of Shoko Festival kicked off on a unique note with a pop-up concert by Sofar Sounds at the Harare Gardens on September 23. The pop-up featured some of Zimbabwe’s most socially conscious artists in Cingi, Vicky Soulful, Bhanshee and Kuda Rice.
On day 2 Harare Gardens echoed with laughter as the Shoko Comedy Night took centre stage. The hilarious night was headlined Nigel tha Slick Pastor, and South Africa’s Vafa Naraghi. The dynamic jest masters delivered thought provoking performances, alongside talented rising comedians in the mould of Neville Bird, and Chipenzi, with Bustop TV’s Magi as host.
Mash Up Night, which has become another draw card for Shoko Festival goers, will light up Harare Green on September 25. Saintfloew, Voltz JT, OneDa from the United Kingdom, Mugaratia, Xiba and MadeHerBelieve lead the charge for the concert.
Complementing the star-studded lineup of the Mash Up Night will be Mashoko Tapes artists, Bhila, Supermuno, Millz Million, Easy Ice, Luigi Badgenna, and Hooksmith, who are also basking in the glory of the recently released Mashoko Tapes Volume 3.
Now in its third year running, Mashoko Tapes is an innovative music residency programme that brings together the festival’s Mash Up Night performers in a collaborative environment to produce an original album, fostering artistic growth amongst Zimbabwe’s hip hop and urban artists.
“This year’s edition line up is a testament to Shoko Festival’s commitment to celebrating local stars and providing a platform to unheralded talent, in tandem with this year’s theme, Unmuted,” shared Shoko Festival Coordinator Natasha Sipanera.
Shoko Festival will be rounded off in Chitungwiza Unit L for the Peace In the Hood concert. The show will be headlined by Nisha Ts, who is riding high after the release of her second career album, Tsigamugobo. The chanter will be supported by Hwinza, Yadis, Tanto Wavie and Young Gemini.
“Shoko Festival is a very special platform for me because it celebrates Zimbabwean culture, creativity and the voices of young people. Being part of a festival that continues to bring people together through music and art is an honour. I’m looking forward to connecting with the audience, sharing my music and being part of another memorable Shoko experience,” shared Nisha Ts.
Running on the sidelines of Shoko Festival is The Hub Unconference from the 24th and 25th of September. The gathering on digital media, civic tech and the creative economy includes panel discussions, masterclasses, debates, live podcasts, creative pop-ups and interactive showcases led by renowned speakers from various African countries.
Angela Kilisungu (Tanzania), Nkumi Mtingwa (Tanzania), Antonio Kisembo (Uganda), Zimbabwe’s Member of Parliament, Darlington Chugumbu, Willson Chivhanga (Malawi), Samuel Eibu (Uganda), Linda Mujuru (Zimbabwe) and Joice Svotwa (Zimbabwe) are among the notable speakers who are driving conversations during the two-day conference.
Capping off the conferences is the Green Cities Expo, a convention curated to spark conversations on the use of clean energy and tackling climate change in Africa. The convention will bring together speakers from Zimbabwe and Africa on how the continent can come up with solutions to climate challenges.
Shoko Festival is Zimbabwe’s longest-running urban culture festival, now in its 16th edition celebrating alternative youth culture and free expression. It is a project of Magamba Network, Africa’s trailblazing creative and digital media organisation.
