The SoCreative Microgrant Programme is designed to help participants move from learning to action. While training equips creatives with new knowledge and practical skills, microgrants provide the resources needed to test ideas, launch projects, grow creative businesses, and build sustainable careers.
By investing directly in participants, these grants encourage innovation, confidence, and real-world application of what has been learned through the SoCreative eLearning programme. Each recipient represents the potential of the creative sector when talent is matched with opportunity.
The SoCreative Grantee Recipients are not only implementing their own ideas they are contributing to stronger creative ecosystems, creating opportunities for others, and demonstrating the impact that targeted support can have on the growth of Africa’s creative industries.
Unathi Beulah Maoneni is a singer, project manager, and multidisciplinary creative based in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Passionate about music, people and strengthening the local creative economy, she works at the intersection of art and community-building — bringing musicians, artists, and makers together to collaborate, grow, and thrive.
Through hands-on workshops, Unathi leads creatives in candid conversations about monetizing their craft, forming meaningful collaborations, and building sustainable creative careers. Blending artistic instinct with organizational skill, she is helping shape a more connected, empowered creative scene in Victoria Falls and beyond.
Tawanda Ndlovu is a BSc Honours student in Biological Sciences with work experience in Health Research, ISO Quality Management Systems as well as the Transport and Tourism space. Tawanda has always been passionate about Art and that saw her launching Exclusive Art Tourism under Five One Five Luxury Tours in October 2019. This has since evolved into Art-Nature-Culture tours under the new brand Gatsheni Experiences. Due to her strong desire to be in the Art Space and to help the young artists within her community she got the opportunity of getting a job as a
Project Manager under MutARE Tales Art Association since April 2023. During this time she has
engaged in several art related projects like the SoCreative Champions Program, the Green Earth Action Foundation Ambassadorship Program, Health and Environmental Campaigns using creativity, curating Exhibitions under National programs and hosting monthly Art and Culture
events, all involving the over 100 young artists under the Association who are talented in poetry, music, dance, visual arts, fashion and design etc. Having lived and worked in Dar Es Salaam and Maputo for a total of 9years, she was exposed to different cultures and in addition to the work experience, this equipped her with the right skills to identify and manage programs for the benefit of the young artists.
Sikhulile P. Sibanda is an award-winning visual artist working in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional media. Born and based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, she is also a human rights activist who champions the rights of womxn in Zimbabwe and across Southern Africa. In addition to her artistic practice, she is a trainer in Digital Storytelling and has facilitated training programs for
women in Zimbabwe. Her international artistic engagements include participation in the Inami
International Wooden Sculpture Camp in Japan (2003), the Artist Residency Program at the Bag
Factory in South Africa (2005), the African Regional Summit and Exhibition on Visual Arts
(ARESUVA) in Nigeria (2008), and the 2nd Pan-African Cultural Festival in Algeria (2009). She
attended the Open Forum Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2012 and participated in the International Wood Day sculptors’ competitions in 2013 and 2014, the latter including a three-week tour of China with fellow participating artists. Sibanda won the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA)
in 2006 and has received several other accolades, including the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA) in 2019. In 2020, she took part in the Artivist-in-Residence program at KANFEST in Tanzania. She has worked extensively in civil society as a facilitator of art and digital storytelling programs with the
Sexual Rights Centre (SRC) and Voice of the Voiceless (VOVO), organizations that support sex
workers and marginalized womxn. As a founding member of the feminist collective Voice of the Voiceless (VOVO), where she continues to work, she uses art as a tool for advocacy,
documentation, and social change. Her artistic practice explores womxn’s emotions and lived experiences in a judgmental world that labels and stereotypes people while perpetuating social,
political, and economic inequality and injustice.
Proficience Cadder is the founder of Scripted Legacy, a creative education initiative that develops interactive and affordable learning tools for young children. Through #HerArtStory, she combines creativity, storytelling, and locally inspired design to transform early learning experiences. Her work focuses on creating engaging educational resources using accessible and recycled materials, supporting literacy, numeracy, and creative learning while promoting sustainable approaches to education. Through innovation and community-centred design, Proficience is building practical solutions that make learning more accessible, meaningful, and engaging for children, teachers, and communities.
Nkanyiso Siziba is a creative entrepreneur, storyteller, and digital professional based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Passionate about using creativity to drive social and economic impact, she works at the intersection of storytelling, digital media, and business development. As a graduate of the British Council So-Creative E-learning Programme, she is committed to building sustainable creative ventures, empowering communities, and creating meaningful content through her writing that connects people and ideas across cultures. She has one published book to date, and is currently working on publishing a second.
Mirriam Patsanza is a Zimbabwean creative entrepreneur, arts manager, and community development practitioner who is passionate about empowering artists, women, and young people through arts, culture, music education, entrepreneurship, and community development. As the founder of MANERA Trust and Projects Officer at Music Crossroads Academy Zimbabwe, she has experience in project management, partnership development, cultural exchange, and creative sector growth. A strong advocate for talent development and mental wellness, Mirriam is also a recipient of the British Council SoCreative E-Learning Programme, where she is enhancing her leadership and innovation skills to advance Zimbabwe’s creative and cultural industries.
Mcdonald Chikwepi is a Zimbabwean creative practitioner and emerging arts leader passionate about empowering young creatives through skills development, collaboration, and artistic expression. Through his work, he promotes opportunities for young artists to learn, create, and engage with their communities. As a recipient of the Magitare Africa micro-grant, he aims to strengthen creative capacity and contribute to the growth of Zimbabwe’s creative sector.
Gondai Ronald Bangidza is a versatile and results-oriented Development Practitioner with over a decade of experience in monitoring & evaluation, human resources, and community advocacy across Zimbabwe. As a board member for organizations including Shamwari Yemwanasikana and the Southern Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance Zimbabwe, he applies his expertise in project management, research, and governance to drive sustainable community impact. His works focuses on translating digital learning into tangible community action by fostering financial literacy, business model development, and peer-to-peer knowledge transfer among local artists and entrepreneurs. Gondai is committed to scaling a replicable model for not only the creative enterprise development but also reducing barriers to economic opportunity in high-density communities.
Deoline Makoni is a poet, creative facilitator, and youth advocate based in Zimbabwe who is passionate about using the arts to promote healing, self-expression, and community engagement. Through poetry, storytelling, and creative initiatives, she creates spaces where young people can explore their experiences, build confidence, and connect with others. She is the founder of The Healing Canvas: Creative Wellness Circles for Youth Artists, a project that uses creative expression as a tool for emotional wellbeing and personal growth among young creatives.
I am a Zimbabwean artist, designer, and sustainable materials innovator whose work bridges indigenous craft traditions and contemporary eco-design.
Born on September 9th, 2000 in Ruwa Harare. Growing up in (Ruwa), the resources were limited so I had to learn to see value in whatever was around me. For me this came in the form of assembling kites from plastic, crop stalks and toy cars from mersh wire, bottle caps as wheels are experiences that shaped my understanding of play, creativity, and resourcefulness.
I completed my Ordinary Level Studies at Mabvuku High School where I passed with flying colours and excelled in Technical Graphics, my fate was deciding.
I attended Chinhoyi University of Technology where I deepened my interest in circular economy principles, biomaterials, and regenerative design.
Inspired by Bantu craft traditions, I explore how heritage knowledge can address modern environmental challenges such as plastic pollution and agricultural waste.
My practice combines plant fibres, woodworking, mycelium composites, recycled plastic fabrication, and 3D printing.
My work ‘Laptop Skins and Village Giftz’, is through self-directed practice and community
mentorship from BeVisioneers Mercedes Benz Fellowship and British Council. I have worked with Ruwa`s Mashonaland East indigenous creatives which has resulted in their empowerment and discovery.
Outside of my work, I am a father and loving husband. I love creating with my family.