Mzoe 7 Calls for Stronger Support to Unlock Zimbabwe’s Creative Sector Potential
Zimbabwe’s creative sector has significant potential to grow into a stronger contributor to the country’s cultural and economic development, according to ZIMBABWE Season Nine and Ten judge and versatile artiste Mzoe 7. The musician believes Zimbabwe has a deep pool of creative talent capable of competing on international platforms. However, he says greater collaboration between Government, private companies, institutions and industry professionals remains essential to unlocking that potential. His comments come at a time when more Zimbabwean musicians, filmmakers, dancers and writers are finding opportunities to showcase their work beyond the country’s borders. Mzoe 7 believes this progress can accelerate if the creative industry receives consistent investment, structured support and opportunities for emerging talent.
Mzoe 7 made the remarks on the sidelines of the Dreamstar finale held on August 15, where he reflected on the development of Zimbabwe’s creative industry and the talent he encountered through the competition. His involvement as a judge on the talent search programme has given him an opportunity to work closely with aspiring creatives from different backgrounds. Through the programme, contestants have been able to showcase their abilities while gaining valuable exposure in a competitive environment. Mzoe 7 said the quality of talent emerging from Zimbabwe demonstrates that the country has artists who can take their careers to international markets. He believes the challenge now lies in creating stronger systems that can help promising creatives turn their talent into sustainable professional careers.
“The creative arts industry has a big room for growth that can be exportable to the whole world, especially when more institutions and corporates work hand in hand with industry players,” Mzoe 7 said. His comments highlight the importance of partnerships in building a stronger creative economy. While individual artists can develop their skills and build audiences, broader industry support can provide access to funding, professional networks, marketing opportunities and international platforms. Corporate partnerships can also help talent development programmes expand their reach and provide better resources for participants. According to Mzoe 7, closer cooperation between stakeholders could help Zimbabwe turn its creative strengths into work that reaches audiences across Africa and the wider world.
The artiste also acknowledged the progress Zimbabwe’s creative sector has made in recent years. He said he was encouraged by the increasing number of films being produced, the growth of dance groups, the emergence of quality music and the ability of Zimbabwean writers to gain recognition beyond the country. These developments show that the local creative industry continues to evolve despite the challenges faced by many artists and organisations. Mzoe 7 stressed that this progress needs to continue through sustained support from Government, private companies and established industry players. He believes organisations such as Dreamstar have an important role to play in creating pathways for young creatives who might otherwise struggle to gain visibility.
“We have seen growth over the past few years and I’m happy to say Zimbabwe is headed in the right direction as long as establishments like Dreamstar, private players and, most importantly, the Government support the creative sector,” he said. Mzoe 7 further called for Zimbabweans to continue sharing their stories through music and film. He argued that creative work provides an important way for the country to communicate its culture, experiences and identity to international audiences. The increasing visibility of Zimbabwean artists can also create opportunities in areas such as entertainment, tourism, publishing, film production and digital media. Stronger institutional support could therefore benefit not only individual creatives but also the wider economy connected to the creative industries.
Mzoe 7 said he believes Zimbabwe has stories that deserve a place on the international stage. “We need to keep telling more of our beautiful stories to the world through music and film,” he said, pointing to the growing number of Zimbabwean creatives making their mark internationally. He noted that more films are being produced while dance groups, musicians and writers continue to develop their careers and reach wider audiences. This growth reflects the potential within Zimbabwe’s creative community and the ability of local talent to connect with audiences beyond national borders. For that potential to translate into long-term success, however, artists need platforms that support development from early discovery through to professional and international opportunities.
His experience as a Dreamstar judge has also strengthened his appreciation for the importance of talent development programmes. Mzoe 7 described it as an honour to serve on the judging panel, particularly during the programme’s prestigious tenth season. He said Dreamstar is helping transform the lives of aspiring creatives by providing exposure, hope and opportunities to undiscovered talent. Talent competitions can play a valuable role in identifying performers who may not have access to traditional entertainment industry networks. By giving emerging artists a stage and connecting them with experienced industry professionals, programmes such as Dreamstar can help bridge the gap between raw talent and professional development.
Mzoe 7 also admitted that judging the competition was not an easy task because of the high standard displayed by the contestants. He said the performers brought their best efforts to the stage, making the selection process particularly challenging. His comments reflect the competitive nature of talent development, where emerging artists must demonstrate not only technical ability but also confidence, originality and the capacity to connect with an audience. For the contestants, appearing before experienced judges can provide valuable exposure even when they do not ultimately win the competition. The experience can help them understand the demands of performing professionally while giving them an opportunity to build relationships within the creative industry.
“A big shout-out to JCMC for the opportunity and the great work they are doing in the creative space,” Mzoe 7 said, acknowledging the organisation behind the talent search programme. His recognition of JCMC also reinforces the importance of organisations that create platforms for Zimbabwean creatives to develop and showcase their abilities. Sustainable creative industries require more than talented performers, as they also depend on producers, promoters, organisers, broadcasters, marketers, investors and institutions. When these parts of the industry work together, artists can gain access to more opportunities and audiences. Programmes such as Dreamstar can therefore contribute to a wider ecosystem that supports talent discovery and professional growth.
The call for greater collaboration comes as Zimbabwe’s creative sector continues to seek ways to strengthen its position locally and internationally. Artists increasingly have access to digital platforms that allow them to distribute music, promote films, build audiences and connect with fans around the world. However, international visibility also requires professional production, effective marketing, strong business structures and consistent investment. Mzoe 7’s comments point to the need for stakeholders to address these areas while continuing to identify and nurture emerging talent. With coordinated support from Government, corporates, institutions and industry professionals, Zimbabwe’s creative sector could create more sustainable opportunities for artists while strengthening the country’s cultural presence internationally.
Mzoe 7’s message ultimately centres on collaboration, investment and confidence in Zimbabwean talent. His experience as a Dreamstar judge has placed him close to emerging creatives and given him a direct view of the abilities being developed across the country. He believes the talent is already present and that stronger support structures can help transform that talent into internationally recognised careers. The continued growth of music, film, dance and writing provides evidence of a creative sector with room to expand. As Zimbabwe looks to build on this progress, closer cooperation between Government, corporates, institutions and creative professionals could help ensure that more local stories reach audiences around the world.
