Magamba Network is an award-winning organization, using creative forms of youth activism to build a democratic and just Zimbabwe.
Magamba was born of necessity. The network emerged in 2007 during a time of political oppression and economic crisis. Youth are in the majority in Zimbabwe but suffer from lack of freedom of expression, unemployment and are often used as political tools. Magamba rose to inspire young people to be part of the change the country needs. To make this possible the organisation decided to make use of fun, creative tools that speak to young people in a language they understand: from hip hop to satire, from social media to innovation. They believe in a Zimbabwe with participatory democracy, social justice, strong alternative media and a thriving creative economy.
Today Magamba Network is Zimbabwe’s leading creative organization working on the cutting edge of culture, media, activism and innovation. Magamba’s award-winning initiatives include Shoko Festival, Zimbabwe’s biggest festival of urban culture; Moto Republik, Southern Africa’s first creative hub; the internationally acclaimed Zambezi News satire show, the weekly political news show The Week and the pioneering citizen journalism projects Open Parly and Kalabash Media.
Therefore, Magamba has been a pioneer in Zimbabwean youth culture. The network launched the first ever satire show in the country, Zambezi News, which has gone on to inspire a whole new generation of young satirists and online content creators who use humour to deal with Zimbabwe’s complex political situation. The network has opened up space for free expression online through supporting and incubating a myriad of young bloggers and new media startups that speak truth to power.
Magamba has also been a pioneer in the hip hop, spoken word and comedy movements in Zimbabwe, building platforms for rebel expression and creating international tours for hot new acts with a message. Through launching Moto Republik, Zimbabwe’s first creative hub, Magamba has created a powerful space of collaboration for young creatives that is leading to groundbreaking new projects.
Thier projects have reached millions of young Zimbabweans while also receiving massive international recognition. Magamba’s projects have featured on Amanpour (CNN), BBC, The Guardian and Channel 4 (UK) while at the same time being nominated for the Freedom Of Expression Awards (UK) and winning the Best African Comedian as Zambezi News at the African Entertainment Awards USA. They believe that over the years most importantly they have inspired a new generation of young Zimbabweans to stand up and be heard. To be part of a positive movement to change Zimbabwe for the better.
