Zimbabwean Music and Culture Set Cologne Ablaze at Moto Moto Festival 2025

Journalist and festival organiser Plot Mhako recently witnessed a powerful celebration of Zimbabwean musical artistry taking centre stage in Cologne, Germany, during the second edition of the Moto Moto Festival. This cultural event, held last Saturday at the renowned Odonien venue, brought together 34 dynamic Zimbabwean artistes who captivated an audience of over 300 people with electrifying performances and a true expression of African heritage.

The festival’s vibrant lineup featured established acts like Mokoomba alongside rising stars such as Nisha Ts and Wowrae. Other notable performers included Feli Nandi, Awa Khiwe, Mary Anibal, Munashe Lorraine, DJ Blaze, Merciless Zim, Solah, Keith, Lil Jam, and more, all ensuring the dance floor remained alive and energized throughout the night.

Plot Mhako, fully aware of the challenges involved in orchestrating an African-rooted festival on European soil, expressed immense pride in the resounding success of this year’s event. “It was a defining year,” he said. “We witnessed a powerful generational dialogue as seasoned acts like Mokoomba shared the stage with rising voices like Nisha Ts and Wowrae. From Awa Khiwe’s explosive fusion of hip-hop and Ndebele identity to Feli Nandi’s soulful ballads, Zimbabwean culture was unapologetically proud and centre stage.”

The 2025 Moto Moto Festival embraced the theme Afro. Culture. Future. Mhako credited platforms such as the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA), managed by the Jacaranda Culture Media Corporation (JCMC) — an arm of the China Zimbabwe Exchange Centre — for their instrumental role in popularizing Zimbabwe’s creative sector both locally and internationally.

Looking ahead to 2026, Mhako’s vision grows even more ambitious. He announced the launch of the Moto Moto Academy, a new initiative aimed at skills development and mentorship, with a special focus on empowering women and underrepresented creatives. The festival also plans to incorporate virtual reality experiences, artist residencies, and expand partnerships across the UK, South Africa, and Canada.

“The fire is only just getting started,” Mhako remarked. “After seeing the brilliance of these 26 Zimbabwean artistes, I am dreaming even bigger. In 2026, we want to represent the full spectrum of African creativity — from north to south, east to west, diasporic and continental.”

Since its inception in July 2024, the Moto Moto Festival has rapidly gained global acclaim as a pan-African cultural showcase. Designed to empower Zimbabwean and diaspora talent, the festival promotes cultural harmony and bridges diverse civilisations. The festival’s name — Moto Moto — means “Fire Fire” in Shona, symbolizing the warmth and storytelling shared around a traditional fire in Zimbabwean homes.

Beyond music, the festival offers immersive experiences such as art exhibitions featuring Zimbabwean stone sculptures, marimba and mbira workshops for children, and interactive creative sessions. These elements create a holistic celebration of Zimbabwe’s rich artistic heritage.

Among the standout moments from this year’s festival were Feli Nandi’s soulful Afro-fusion serenades and Nisha Ts’s European debut, supported by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and NAMA, which left the crowd spellbound. Mokoomba delivered a high-energy, world-class performance filled with groove and precision, while Pamuzinda enthralled audiences with traditional dance and drumming. Awa Khiwe’s bold, unapologetic Ndebele hip-hop struck a chord with both African and European audiences alike.

The Moto Moto Festival continues to blaze a trail for Zimbabwean culture on the international stage, with Plot Mhako leading the charge to celebrate African creativity and unity in the heart of Europe. As the festival evolves, it promises to ignite even greater artistic flames in the years to come.