From Upcyling Lab to Creative Economy Week and even Outkazterz Fest in Chinhoyi; music and fashion events have become the catalyst that Zim fashion needed to move forward.
Bulawayo already boasts of a vibrant events scene, reminiscent of the early 90’s when it was the nation’s cultural capital. From underground music sessions and fashion showcases to pop-up galleries and multimedia exhibitions, the city is slowly reclaiming that title.
It was only a matter of time before the city got its own iteration of such an event – Fusion Fiesta, set for 17 May at the National Art Gallery in Bulawayo.
The Music
The show will be headlined by Christian rapper Swazy and Afro-soul singer Khwezi , plus a fashion showcase by clothing brand Guided Youth. The show is collaborative in every sense of the word; blending genres, art forms and even cities for a show that’s not to be missed.
Supporting acts for the show include Paris Knight, Mike The Future, Tasha D, Nsizwa Black, Kaykid Umafonmsotho; and a spoken word performance from award-winning poetess Chioniso Tsikisayi. Attendees can also expect a dynamic panel discussion where the audience will hear first-hand insights from the minds behind the event.
Nominated for the 2024 Zim Hip Hop Awards under Best Gospel Act, 23-year old Swazy is redefining Christian hip hop in a new age. After a transformative experience at a church youth camp in 2017, she decided to use her God-given talent to inspire others.
Her music sounds like encouragement – a reminder that we’re not alone in these struggles, and that there’s hope for a brighter tomorrow.
So far, Swazy has collaborated with long-time friend Lynn, the award-winning Jason Gwanzura, Elizabeth Tendai and producer Sisa. She has also performed at shows like Hip-Hop Power Sessions, For the City and most recently, she was part of the Kwela Initiative workshop headed by Asaph Afrika.
Speaking to Mcheno and More in-between rehearsals for the show, Swazy promised a unique experience for Saturday’s show. “Expect it to be different from what one experiences from other shows. Also expect it to be more personal. You will leave the show knowing Swazy better. We’re promising lots of fun and a mouth dropping experience to everyone who attends the show,” she said.
Alongside her will be the melodic Khwezi. With a sound that blends soulful African melodies, poetic lyricism, and contemporary Afro-fusion, Khwezi has carved out a unique space in Zimbabwe’s music scene — one that bridges the emotional with the spiritual, and the personal with the universal. His music reflects real journeys — through heartbreak, mental health struggles, identity, and faith — and each song he writes is both a release and a testimony.
He believes music is more than entertainment; it is a vehicle for transformation. His lyrics are intentional, often introspective, and always rooted in lived experience.
After a hiatus, Khwezi is back to soothe listeners with some new music. His recent release titled Ng’dalule is proof that Khwezi is ready to take his crown as Bulawayo’s beloved crooner. The live performance at Fusion Fiesta will likely stamp his mark.
The Curator
The show will also serve as the official launch of Artisan 31, the creative consultancy agency behind the event. The agency is co-founded and led by Thandie Sterling, Managing Partner and Creative Consultant; and Willmore Dube, Managing Partner and Creative Director.
Speaking to Mcheno and More, co-founder Thandie Sterling broke down Artisan 31’s focus;
“We work with artists, content creators, and emerging brands to refine their craft, build strong visual and strategic identities, and manage their creative journeys. Our services include brand development, content creation, artist and talent management, event curation, and storytelling through multimedia platforms.”
She added, “Our mission is to empower storytellers through professional, creative, and meaningful support—both behind the scenes and in the spotlight. Whether it’s managing a music artist’s career, developing a content creator’s digital presence, or producing engaging visual content, we approach every project with excellence and authenticity.”
Artisan 31’s first event is a bold move that brings together so many concepts, and Sterling believes the Bulawayo creative industry can benefit immensely from this approach.
“It’s an unexpected combination, but that’s the beauty of it. We wanted to show that merging styles, disciplines, and ideas isn’t only possible—it’s powerful,” she explained.
The Fashion
On the decision to collaborate with Harare-based brand Guided Youth for Fusion Fiesta, Sterling saw it as a no-brainer.
Swazy and Khwezi use their lived experiences to create their art, touching souls. Fashion is ubiquitous to our existence, everyone wears clothes. Guided Youth has made a name for itself as an expressionist brand that uses fashion to speak to the youth.
Fusion Fiesta, then, becomes a coming together of artists and brands who have managed to blend art and life, and vice versa. “Fashion plays a central role in Fusion Fiesta. It’s more than just clothing—it’s a language, a form of identity, and a visual expression of culture and emotion.
“Guided Youth, the brand at the heart of this show, embodies all of that and more. Their work speaks directly to the spirit of young people in Bulawayo—bold, layered, expressive, and unafraid to stand out,” described Sterling.
For Khwezi, it is a dream come true to collaborate with a brand that he has been following since its inception in 2021. “This is the biggest collaboration I’ve done yet. I’m happy to link up with Guided Youth, I’ve always loved their fashion direction from get go, so you can imagine me being dressed by them, I mean it’s out of this world!” he beamed.
This will be Guided Youth’s first runway showcase in over three years. The brand last featured at the fifth edition of the Skeyi and Strobo Fabrik Party in March 2022. In-between, it has kept the streets fed with releases of pieces, collections and collaborations that have made it a well-catalogued brand.
This, according to Guided Youth, Lead Designer Ngaatendwe Mapako, has been the major reason for the brand’s absence from runways. “After our Fabrik Party showcase in 2022, we decided to move towards building our catalogue and connecting with potential markets. Everything we have done to this point, the most important thing was to understand the industry and how we fit in it. Now, we feel ready for the next stage,” he shared.
From its inception, the brand has always been about collaboration, and Fusion Fiesta is another step in that journey. Mapako could barely hide his excitement at the prospect of an inter-city collaborative effort.
“We have collaborated with musical artists since our early days. I can speak of REAP3R, VI The Law and most recently SAIIREN. This is special because it’s our first show in a while, and it’s another city seeing the work we’re doing and inviting us over. I’m sure Fusion Fiesta will be historic in that sense, and we will create more avenues of collaboration,” expressed Mapako.
As for what exactly to expect from Guided Youth at Fusion Fiesta, the talented designer teased that the showcase will be a reflection of the brand’s journey so far.
“Look, we turn four in August. A lot has happened between then and now. At Fusion Fiesta, we’ll try and show everyone how that journey has been like. Plus, of course, we’ll have something new for the youth” he concluded.
Final Thoughts
Our first article of the year went beyond just fashion blogging. It was a marked departure from our first days when all we did was report on fashion. It’s not enough to just report on fashion, we also have to contribute to its development.
When we advocated for more music and fashion events, we didn’t expect for that call to be heard across the length and breadth of Zimbabwe. Today, we are proud to have inspired creatives across the nation.
This is why Fusion Fiesta is a moment in Bulawayo and Zimbabwe’s fashion history. It is further confirmation of the value of such events.
Beyond the runway and stage, Fusion Fiesta serves as a networking hub for creatives, offering a rare opportunity for artists, designers, content creators, and innovators to connect, collaborate, and grow.
If you’re in Bulawayo, make sure to attend Fusion Fiesta at the National Art Gallery on Saturday. The show starts at 1pm, and tickets are going for $3. You can buy your tickets at Stars 29 — Shop 29, Haddon and Sly Complex.
You can also get your tickets online.
