Zimbabwean cultural icon and mbira artist, Hope Masike, has arrived in Seoul, South Korea, to participate in a prestigious cultural management and administration training program under Korea’s Cultural Partnership Initiative (CPI).
Masike is among 44 cultural practitioners from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America who have gathered in the South Korean capital for an intensive three-week course aimed at enhancing their skills in cultural project design and implementation.
The CPI, supported by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, is an international cultural cooperation initiative. It is designed to empower participants to strengthen cultural industries in their home countries by building global partnerships and acquiring advanced skills in cultural management.
This program comes as a timely opportunity for Masike, who was appointed Honorary Cultural Ambassador for Korea-Zimbabwe Relations earlier this year during the 30th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
ALSO READ ; Teen Scammer in Ruwa Dupes High School Students Out of $2,640
In Seoul, Masike was pleasantly surprised to discover a fellow Zimbabwean, Peter Chiridza, a lecturer in Language, Communication, and Journalism at the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), also attending the program. Her class includes participants from Ghana, Nigeria, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan, fostering a rich exchange of experiences and ideas.
Masike expressed her excitement about the program, stating, “Apart from learning about management and administration of culture and art as an industry, the program comes at an opportune time when I am preparing to launch ‘The 7 of Us.’ I am looking forward to acquiring the requisite skills for both my career and my contribution to Zimbabwean arts and culture.” she said via a press statement.
“The 7 of Us” is Masike’s upcoming mentorship initiative for young women and girls. Its primary goal is to empower them to navigate their creative careers while managing life’s challenges with focused intent. This initiative adds to Masike’s growing repertoire of contributions to the Zimbabwean cultural landscape.
She is already an active advocate for the rights and fortunes of musicians and cultural actors through her roles on the boards of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA), the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), and the Alliance Française de Harare.
As Masike puts the final touches on “The 7 of Us,” she plans to launch the program as an annual event on her birthday in early September, further solidifying her commitment to fostering the next generation of Zimbabwean artists.
Masike, who is not only a singer and songwriter but also a painter and poet, has released four studio albums and four poetry books. Her most recent album, Anotida, was released in March and is available on all major platforms. As she continues to elevate Zimbabwean culture on the global stage, her involvement in the CPI program marks yet another milestone in her illustrious career.
ALSO READ ; Palestinian Ambassador Commends Zimbabwe’s Olympic Stance Against Israel Amid Gaza Crisis
