Arts Expert Plot Mhako to Represent Zimbabwe at the Prestigious Music in Africa Conference

TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA 

Prominent arts/creative industry expert, Plot Mhako, will represent Zimbabwe at the esteemed Music in Africa Conference in Tanzania from November 9-11, 2023. Mhako, a respected figure in the arts industry, is among 40 key speakers from various countries selected for the annual event.

Image: Music In Africa

The conference, known as the Music in Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES) Festival, will be held at the Julius Nyerere International Conventional Centre in Dar-es-Salaam. 

This Pan-African trade show serves as a convergence point for professionals from various disciplines across Africa and around the world.

The platform facilitates knowledge sharing, networking, and idea exchange. It also provides a stage for emerging and established artists from the continent to showcase their work.

Mhako expressed his excitement about being selected as a speaker for this year’s ACCESS Conference. He highlighted that the conference is a significant event in Africa’s music industry and serves as a catalyst to propel the Zimbabwean music industry to global heights.

He also mentioned that Feli Nandi, another representative from Zimbabwe, has been selected to perform at the festival.

“I’m super excited, humbled and honoured to be one of the speakers at this year’s ACCESS Conference. It’s a humbling honour because the ACCESS Conference is the biggest Music Indaba in Africa. It has been happening for some time now but for me to be selected as one of the speakers is quite humbling. Not to be outdone is Feli Nandi who has also been selected to perform at the festival. Zimbabwe is well represented at the festival. It’s going to put Zimbabwean music and the conversations around the Zimbabwean music industry on the global space,” Mhako said.

ACCES offers a diverse program with music performances, networking sessions, workshops, exhibitions and awards ceremonies. It features speakers from more than 40 countries.

The first batch of artists scheduled to perform at the festival includes Zimbabwe’s Feli Nandi, Alostmen from Ghana, DRC’s Ngwaka Son System, Zolani Mahola and The Feminine Force from South Africa.

Plot Mhako, a creative social entrepreneur from Zimbabwe, has made significant contributions to the country’s arts and culture sector. His innovative work has supported the careers of numerous musicians, dancers, and hip hop artists in Zimbabwe and beyond. Through his initiatives, he has provided young Zimbabweans with opportunities to professionalize their art, learn, grow, and develop.

Mhako is best known as the founder of Jibilika Dance Trust, established in 2007. He served as the project’s creative director until its 10th anniversary, at which point he handed over the role to Nyaradzao Francisca Nhongonhema, a National Arts Merit Awards-winning theatre practitioner and dancer.

Currently, Mhako is the Chief Editor of Earground, a new age media platform that promotes Zimbabwean creative content online. The platform has played a crucial role in documenting Zimbabwe’s creativity and highlighting both established and emerging artists.

In addition to Earground, Mhako co-founded KuendaProductions.com in 2013. This multi-disciplinary and intercultural creative organization works in various fields including Dance, Theatre, Music, visual art and management.

Mhako is also the creative director and founder of several other initiatives. These include the Amplifaya Festival, Creative Business Conference, Mafuwe International Festival of Dance, Skate Zimbabwe, Zim Hip Hop Summit, Zimdancehall Summit and the Creative Rights Zimbabwe Trust.