By Dumisani Ndlovu
After a twice-postponed announcement, the Swiss Support to Arts Development in Zimbabwe (SSADZA) Fund, managed by the Stimulus Africa Foundation and supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe, has finally revealed the recipients of its first round of funding.
The selection process proved to be a significant challenge, reflecting the breadth and depth of talent within Zimbabwe’s creative sector.
Originally scheduled to conclude on February 12th, 2025, the review period was extended to March 2025, highlighting the rigorous evaluation undertaken to select the most promising projects. From a pool of over 300 applications, the chosen initiatives directly align with the fund’s core mission: to support new, original creative works and artistic showcases within Zimbabwe.
The selected projects showcase a diverse spectrum of artistic disciplines:
• Film: Funding will support a short film featuring a multi-generational cast and crew tackling important cultural issues.
• Music: The fund will bolster music festivals that spotlight musicians with disabilities and celebrate Zimbabwean culture through music.
• Collaborations: An innovative artistic collaboration combining poetry, digital art, and fashion has also received funding.
The individual artist awardees include Makanaka Mavengere, Jesese Mungoshi, Steven Chigorimbo, Charlene Mangweni-Furusa, Thuthkani Ndlovu, Chipo Muchegwa, Pauline Gundidza, Sithandazile Gumbo, Vuyo Brown, and Jacqueline Mpofu. The Arts Organisation Awards were granted to POVO Afrika and the Ndau Festival of the Arts (NdaFA).
“We extend our congratulations to the awardees and are encouraged by the positive response to the fund so far,” stated a representative from SSADZA. “The future of Zimbabwean arts is bright, and we are excited to be part of its growth.”read the press statement released on the 27th of March 2025.
Further details about the individual projects supported will be released in the coming weeks.
While acknowledging the disappointment of unsuccessful applicants, SSADZA emphasizes that this is just the beginning.
With two calls for applications planned annually for the next four years, SSADZA officials said future opportunities are abundant. To assist aspiring applicants, the Embassy of Switzerland and Stimulus Africa Foundation will host an Application Process Workshop, providing valuable insights and tips to improve the chances of securing funding in future rounds.
“This workshop demonstrates SSADZA’s commitment to fostering a thriving and sustainable arts ecosystem in Zimbabwe” ready the statement.
