Sonkomose Joins Zambezi Meet-up Arts Residency to Strengthen Cross-Border Creative Collaboration

Award-winning spoken word artiste Sonkomose is taking another important step in her artistic career by joining the second cohort of the Zambezi Meet-up Arts Residency, a programme that promotes collaboration, cultural exchange and creative development between Zimbabwean and Zambian artists. The Bulawayo-based poet is among six young women creatives selected to participate in the residency, which runs from July 23 to 26 across Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Livingstone, Zambia. The initiative provides a unique platform for emerging artists to exchange ideas, strengthen their creative skills and build meaningful professional relationships across borders. By bringing together talented female poets from both countries, the residency reflects the growing importance of regional partnerships in the African arts sector. It also demonstrates how creative programmes can foster dialogue, celebrate cultural diversity and encourage artistic innovation.

The Zambezi Meet-up Arts Residency brings together three creatives from Zimbabwe and three from Zambia for an immersive programme focused on spoken word, storytelling, cultural exploration and collaborative artistic creation. Participants are given the opportunity to learn from one another while sharing their own experiences, artistic approaches and cultural perspectives. The residency has been carefully designed to encourage meaningful interaction through workshops, discussions and practical creative sessions. Rather than simply hosting performances, the programme allows artists to work together in developing new material inspired by their surroundings and shared experiences. This collaborative approach strengthens artistic networks while creating lasting connections that extend beyond the duration of the residency.

Representing Bulawayo alongside fellow poet Lwazi Mthembo, Sonkomose believes the residency arrives at an important stage in her career. She expressed excitement about meeting Zambian poets, learning about different cultures and expanding her artistic abilities through collaboration. According to Sonkomose, networking with fellow creatives from across the border presents an opportunity to discover new perspectives that can influence her future work. She views the residency as more than a short-term programme, seeing it instead as an investment in her long-term artistic growth. Her enthusiasm reflects the importance of creative exchanges that encourage artists to develop fresh ideas while building regional partnerships.

The residency also comes during a particularly busy period in Sonkomose’s career as she prepares to release her debut poetry album. She described 2026 as a demanding year filled with ambitious creative goals, including the completion of visual productions to accompany several poems featured on the project. The award-winning poet has already recorded five tracks for the upcoming album, which is expected to be released next month. The project will feature collaborations with respected creatives including Charles Mahlaba, Bhila and South African slam poetry champion Poet Lethu Nkwanyana. By balancing her recording schedule with participation in the residency, Sonkomose hopes the experience will further enrich her work and contribute lasting value to her artistic journey.

The Zambezi Meet-up Arts Residency has been developed to create safe and empowering spaces where young female poets from Zimbabwe and Zambia can share stories, exchange ideas and celebrate their cultural identities. Throughout the programme, participants take part in poetry workshops, mentorship sessions, guest lectures, creative discussions, collaborative writing exercises, production sessions and radio engagements. These activities encourage artists to strengthen both their technical skills and their confidence while learning from experienced mentors and fellow participants. Networking opportunities also allow creatives to build professional relationships that may lead to future collaborations beyond the residency. This combination of education, creativity and professional development makes the programme an important platform for emerging female artists in Southern Africa.

An important feature of the residency is its emphasis on experiential learning through cultural visits and environmental exploration around the Zambezi River. Participants are encouraged to draw inspiration from the surrounding communities, landscapes and natural environment as they develop new creative work. This year’s edition carries the theme “Coexistence,” exploring the relationship between people, wildlife, culture and the environment while encouraging conversations about sustainability and conservation through artistic expression. The programme includes conservation-focused excursions, collaborative writing sessions and the recording of spoken word performances that capture participants’ reflections on these themes. Audio and visual documentation of the creative process will also help preserve the work produced during the residency while increasing its reach beyond the participating artists.

The second cohort builds on the success of the inaugural Zambezi Meet-up Arts Residency held in February 2026, which brought together female artists from Bulawayo and Lusaka in an environment centred on artistic freedom and cultural exchange. The first programme focused on strengthening partnerships among young women creatives, promoting storytelling through indigenous languages and documenting participants’ experiences in an anthology of creative works and reflections. Organisers have expanded the initiative to deepen regional collaboration while increasing the visibility of the work produced by participating artists. They also hope the residency will help address the underrepresentation of young women within the creative industry by providing greater access to professional opportunities and mentorship. At the same time, the programme continues to shine a spotlight on talented artists from regions such as Bulawayo, whose creative contributions deserve wider recognition.

Sonkomose’s participation in the Zambezi Meet-up Arts Residency reflects both her personal artistic ambitions and the broader importance of cross-border cultural collaboration. As she prepares to release her debut poetry album while engaging with fellow creatives from Zimbabwe and Zambia, the residency offers an ideal environment for learning, inspiration and professional growth. The programme demonstrates how spoken word and storytelling can bring communities together while encouraging meaningful conversations about culture, identity and environmental responsibility. Through collaboration, mentorship and creative exploration, participants are expected to leave with stronger artistic networks and fresh perspectives that will influence their future work. For Sonkomose, the residency represents another significant milestone in a career that continues to grow while contributing to the development of Southern Africa’s vibrant spoken word community.