MOTO Moto Festival curator and director Plot Mhako says the event is a celebration of African music, culture and creative excellence.
The festival, held annually in Cologne, Germany, brings together top African and diaspora talent for a showcase of sounds, stories and performances.
This year’s event will be held on July 19. According to Mhako, it will be more than a cultural exchange concert and a space where tradition meets innovation.
For African artistes, especially those from Zimbabwe like Mary Anibal, Mwenje Matole, Wowrae, Mookomba, Shashal and Feli Nandi, the festival offers a unique opportunity to perform on an international stage and connect with new audiences.
As the festival curator and director, Mhako’s roles include identifying and recommending talent, advising on programming, and ensuring representation is culturally authentic and impactful.
In your opinion, how can Zimbabwe better position its artists for such international stages in the future?
We need a strategic cultural export policy, one that includes talent development, access to international showcases, travel support and branding. Government institutions, private sector players and creatives need to collaborate more. Investment in production quality, digital presence and cross-border partnerships will be key to sustaining momentum. In this edition, artistes like Nisha Ts and Wowrae represent the fresh and dynamic energy of Zimbabwe’s youth.
What advice do you give up-and-coming artistes who wish to reach such platforms but do not have the visibility?
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Start by refining your craft and building a consistent, professional brand. Take your digital footprint seriously and use social media strategically. Network, collaborate and stay visible in the local scene. Most importantly, be authentic and patient. These opportunities often come when preparation meets timing. I hope Zimbabwe’s performance leaves a lasting impression on audiences and industry stakeholders. I want our contingent to be seen, heard and remembered, and not just for talent, but for presence, creativity and professionalism.
Do you foresee this opening more doors for Zimbabwean artistes going forward?
Yes, without a doubt. The partnership between the National Arts Merit Awards and Moto Moto Festival is just the beginning. Our vision is to see more Zimbabwean artistes featured annually, and to develop long-term pipelines that connect our talent to global platforms. There are some exciting live collaborations planned that fuse different genres and regional styles. We’re also working on some diaspora link-ups and joint performances that will showcase the fusion of Zimbabwean and pan-African creativity. The audience is in for something truly special.
As a cultural curator and journalist, how does this experience shape your journey and perspective on the global arts landscape?
It reinforces why I do what I do. Seeing Zimbabwean artistes take up space internationally, knowing I played a part in facilitating that, is deeply fulfilling. This experience also expands my worldview, showing me how interconnected we are and how powerful our culture can be when it’s given the right platform. It motivates me to keep building bridges. This festival is not just about the artistes; it’s about all of us. Let’s rally behind our creatives, share their content and celebrate their journey. To artistes, your voice matters, your craft has power and the world is ready to listen. To fans, your support fuels the dream. Let’s take Zimbabwe to the world loudly, proudly and creatively.
