Creative Frequencies with Khumbulani Bandula Muleya
- Thuthukani "TK" Ndlovu
- Mar 1
- 4 min read
5 facets of Khumbulani's creative journey
"We are so fragmented in our pursuits as creatives - imagine what could happen if we worked together across disciplines." - Khumbulani Bandula Muleya
Hey creative family! Welcome back to another edition of "Creative Frequencies," where today we're exploring the inspiring world of Khumbulani Bandula Muleya. After sitting down with this multitalented visionary, I can't wait to share the insights from our conversation, organized into 5 key dimensions of his work. From grassroots poetry collectives to receiving a NAMA award , Khumbulani represents the kind of boundary-crossing creativity that fuels cultural evolution. His story shows how dedicated platform-building can transform creative ecosystems and create space for voices that might otherwise go unheard.
1. INTANGA - Gourd of Consciousness Poetry
When Khumbulani began publishing poetry in the Standard Newspaper back in 2016, he was challenging the notion that creators need fame before deserving platforms. This initial spark grew into INTANGA, which has since become one of the many beating hearts of Zimbabwe's poetry scene through its network of specialized WhatsApp groups supporting over 120 members at various stages of development.
The INTANGA ecosystem has diversified to meet specific community needs – featuring the main developmental group, the more established Gourd of Consciousness collective, a self-governed women's poetry platform, a continental children's poetry network, and a spoken word division. Beyond virtual communities, they run national competitions and a distinctive "Poet of the Month" feature celebrating indigenous languages, successfully placing writers in prominent publications like Newsday and Zimbabwe Independent. Check out their Facebook page and Instagram profile for more info on their amazing work.
2. Heart and Soul Broadcasting + NAMA Award Recipient
The energy radiating from Khumbulani these days is partially fueled by recent recognition at the National Arts Merit Awards, where he claimed victory in 2024 for Online Media after a 2023 nomination in print journalism. Receiving this honor in his hometown of Bulawayo provided "an assurance that I'm doing the right thing," offering renewed motivation after years of dedicated work.
This momentum powers his work at Heart and Soul Broadcasting Services, where Khumbulani produces diverse programming on literary showcases like "Mic Drop Poet Profiles" and "Book Club Sessions." The platform has evolved beyond literature to document Zimbabwe's creative landscape, with programs like "Music Box" inviting musicians to share their journeys – creating bridges between creators and audiences while preserving contemporary artistic expression. I've really been enjoying the Book Club Sessions that I've watched so far, and I'm sure you'll find them very insightful. Check out his latest episode with Rickson Bonzo as he shares his emerging writer's journey, discussing his latest book, writing inspirations and the challenges he has overcome (Watch here).
3. KM Communications
Through his publicity - focused venture KM Communications, Khumbulani addresses one of the critical gaps in Zimbabwe's creative ecosystem: strategic visibility. The company specializes in connecting artists and cultural initiatives with the audiences they deserve, fighting against the fragmentation that often undermines creative sustainability.
What really distinguishes KM Communications is how it leverages Khumbulani's unique position at the intersection of journalism, broadcasting, and artistic practice. This integrated perspective allows him to create promotional strategies that truly understand creators' needs while transforming individual successes into collective industry growth, addressing the systemic challenges he's observed throughout his career. Some of the services he offers include: media relations, content creation and event planning, just to name a few (View full list of services here).
4. Sofar Sounds Harare
As Sofar Sounds Harare enters its fourth year, it represents Khumbulani's venture into reimagining live music experiences. Connected to the worldwide Sofar Sounds network, this initiative curates intimate performances in unexpected venues, creating environments where meaningful musical connections flourish between performers and attentive audiences.
This project extends his ecosystem-building approach from literary arts into musical expression, demonstrating how his core philosophy of structured support for creativity applies across artistic disciplines. Sofar Sounds Harare exemplifies his commitment to creating holistic platforms that elevate both emerging talents and established artists seeking deeper audience engagement. I got the opportunity to attend the my first Sofar Sounds Harare in December last year, and had a great time. I really enjoyed how the program was curated as the mc and the musical acts delivered a great experience at The Vanilla Moon restaurant. It's also really cool to occasionally see updates on some of the artists who have performed on the platform, as this gives us a glimpse on their continued creative journey. Make sure you follow the platform on Instagram & Facebook in order to stay in the loop.
5. Creative Vision and Future Outlook
Looking forward, Khumbulani dreams of expanding INTANGA's reach by establishing chapters throughout Africa, connected through Book Club sessions that would create continental conversations around literature. His unexpected journey from footballer to multifaceted cultural catalyst demonstrates how asking "what could possibly happen if I keep working on different projects" can transform creative landscapes and build systems that allow diverse voices to flourish.
Follow Khumbulani's creative journey today:
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