Zimbabwean Voices Shine at Inaugural Marketing Influence Culture Conference in Johannesburg

Two of Zimbabwe’s most influential cultural figures, media entrepreneur Kim Jayde and editor Usher Takudzwa Nyambi, proudly represented their country at the first-ever Marketing Influence Culture (MIC) conference held on June 25 at the Radisson RED hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa.

As official delegates, Jayde and Nyambi brought a unique Zimbabwean perspective to the pan-African event, which aimed to highlight the next generation of marketers, brand innovators, and cultural leaders across the continent. The MIC conference, founded by South African-Indian global marketer Deshnie Govender under her Hype and Happening platform, is redefining Africa’s marketing and creative landscape. With its core values rooted in accessibility, authenticity, and transformation, the conference broke from tradition by focusing on coaching rather than keynote speeches and encouraging open conversations instead of formal panels.

“This is not another gate-kept gathering,” Govender explained. “MIC levels the playing field with a premium-yet-accessible model built around the belief that when everyone gets the playbook, everyone can win.”

Kim Jayde, a Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 honoree, award-winning TV host, and founder of KJ Productions, continues to make waves by blending fashion and culture through her media projects. Known for producing hit shows like Kickin’ It with Kim Jayde, she has worked with major global brands such as Adidas, Hennessy, and the NBA. Widely recognized as South Africa’s “Sneaker Queen,” Jayde continues to drive influential brand campaigns while advocating for social change and youth empowerment.

Usher Takudzwa Nyambi, a respected cultural consultant and contributing editor at Rolling Stone Africa, has built a reputation for sharp editorial insight and impactful storytelling. His work has appeared in GQ, BBC 1Xtra, Trace, OkayAfrica, and Hypebeast. As the founder of Samora Central, a creative agency based in Harare, Nyambi is a passionate advocate for education, youth development, and the power of narrative in shaping African identity.

Reflecting on his participation at MIC, Nyambi said: “The cultural and creative industries offer a powerful avenue for economic growth, job creation, and innovation. It was exciting to join a dynamic panel of industry leaders and explore how brands meaningfully collaborate with creatives to drive real impact.” He added that the conference offered a valuable opportunity for exchanging ideas and understanding unique perspectives across different sectors, sparking new and meaningful partnerships.

Jayde and Nyambi joined an impressive lineup of speakers and panelists representing some of the world’s biggest brands, including Spotify, Unilever, Nedbank, and Dentsu X. The event attracted marketing executives, brand strategists, and creative leaders from across Africa and beyond. Key discussion points included topics like “Building with Purpose: How Brands Contribute to Job Creation Through Purpose, Possibility, and Progress,” presented by award-winning South African marketing executive Katleho Mahloane.

The conference’s live debut was supported by the Radisson Hotel Group, highlighting MIC’s growing influence as a platform for African thought leadership in marketing and the creative economy. In a statement released after the event, organisers said: “With backgrounds that blend media, strategy, and culture, both Kim and Usher embody the ethos of MIC, where creativity meets commerce and cultural intelligence drives brand innovation.”

With over 70% of Africa’s population under the age of 30, MIC is positioning itself as a key platform to equip the next generation with the tools, knowledge, and mentorship needed to lead in both local and international markets. The presence of Zimbabwean visionaries like Kim Jayde and Usher Nyambi at this groundbreaking conference reflects the growing impact of Zimbabwean voices in shaping the future of marketing and culture across Africa.