
Faith Ndlovu, Sunday Life Reporter
THE local arts scene is set for an exciting 2025, with local artistes preparing to showcase their talents, collaborate on innovative projects and share their unique arts globally, making a lasting impact on the local and international scene.
As for Bulawayo the artistes are ready to cement its arts and cultural hub status in the country as a melting pot of multifarious genres of the arts derived from its diverse linguistic and cultural background.
Sunday Life went out to gather what the artistes will be doing in 2025 and most of them promised a fun-filled time ahead with new releases, collaborations and innovative projects while others said they would take time to tour the world and showcase what they offer in an effort to expand their audience reach and as a celebration of the country’s rich cultural and artistic heritage.

Jeys Marabini
Jeys Marabini
He is no doubt a household name in the city’s music landscape. Jeys is anticipating an exciting year ahead filled with ambitious projects and performances. A major highlight will be the release of his upcoming album which they are working on. They also have a packed schedule of shows lined up in various cities across Zimbabwe as well as international tours planned for South Africa and Botswana. Their goal is to expand their reach beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, sharing their music with a wider audience and making a lasting impact on the regional music scene.

Raisedon Baya
Raisedon Baya
The artiste’s primary objective is to intensify efforts and push the Intwasa Festival, ideally scheduled for September. This strategic plan aims to increase visibility, attract new audiences and establish the festival as a prominent one in traditional Zimbabwean culture’s calendar.
By leveraging on the festival’s platform, the artist will showcase an expanded range of unique, handmade products, including intricately designed beadwork, hand-carved wooden sculptures and vibrant textiles, while also promoting workshops, training programmes and community events that celebrate cultural heritage. He is also pushing for literary plays that help school children appreciate literature set books.
Nkululeko Dube (Iyasa)
As Iyasa approaches its 25th anniversary in 2025, Dube said they are committed to building on their legacy of empowering the youth through arts education and community engagement.
“This year, we have an exciting regional tour lined up for August and we are working towards another international tour, pending resource availability. Over the past two years, we’ve made a concerted effort to reach all corners of Zimbabwe, leveraging our performances as a tool for both entertainment and education on pressing social issues,” he said.
Moving forward, he added that they aim to expand their collaborative efforts with fellow established artists and their alumni who are making waves in their respective projects.

Nkululeko Nkala
Nkululeko Nkala
The artiste has a deliberate passion to promote and foster the growth of the arts industry with a specific focus on nurturing young artists and providing them with opportunities to develop their talents.
His aim is to curate large-scale events that will significantly impact the arts industry, putting Bulawayo firmly on the map as a hub for creative expression. To achieve this vision, the artiste seeks to collaborate with a diverse range of artistes, from emerging young talents to established veterans to bring world-class art experiences to the people, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the region while inspiring a new generation of creatives.

Obert Dube
Obert Dube
A renowned poet who worked hard to put the art genre on the map. This year, he is excited to embark on a new chapter of creative collaborations, bridging genres and borders. He will be working with both emerging and seasoned artists, locally and internationally, to strike a balance between innovation and tradition.
His goal is to produce high-quality videos that showcase the collective talents, while also elevating his own poetry to meet international standards.
He is eager to delve deeper into cultural research, an area that deeply resonates with him and explore new ways to express and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Zimbabwe.

Sithandazile (Um’Africakazi)
Sithandazile (Um’Africakazi)
She is excited to introduce a new online series, Ibuzwa kwabaphambili, which translates to seeking advice from the elders where she will be chatting with elders to learn about the country’s rich cultural heritage and how things were done in the past.
This year is packed with exciting projects, including taking the Iphimbo Poetry Collection Show on a national tour and launching the album on online platforms as well as continuing the mentorship programmes for upcoming poets and young artists.
She will be continuing production of Imvelaphi their online docu-series that delves into the fascinating world of Zimbabwean surnames and customs, showcasing the diversity and depth of the country’s cultural heritage.