Creative Frequencies with Siza Mukwedini

5 facets of Siza's creative journey

"Like the matamba fruit that ripens only under the right conditions, women's creativity needs a nurturing ecosystem to truly flourish." - Siza Mukwedini

Wassup fam. I hope you're all keeping well, as we navigate the remaining weeks of the 1st quarter of 2025. For today's Creative Frequency feature, we have Siza Mukwedini who stands as a beacon of innovation and empowerment. Her journey represents a powerful narrative of breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and reimagining storytelling through technology. From documentaries that challenge global perspectives to pioneering immersive media platforms, Siza's work is a testament to the transformative power of creative vision. 1. Matamba Film Labs for Women

Addressing the stark underrepresentation of women in media production, Siza founded Matamba Film Labs with a revolutionary vision in 2019. The organization confronts systemic gaps in the media sector, particularly the limited participation of women in critical roles such as directing, animating, and technical production. Drawing inspiration from the matamba fruit—which can remain dormant for up to three years, ripening only under perfect conditions—Siza created an ecosystem designed to nurture women's creative and technological potential.

Matamba Film Labs is situated in Harare, and provides a safe, non-exploitative environment for women to learn new media storytelling skills across emerging technologies including AR, VR, MR, AI, XR, and animation. By equipping a new generation of storytellers with original African perspectives, the organization aims to disrupt content development and build a more inclusive creative economy. Visit their website here.

2. Immersive Incubator

Matamba's immersive incubator represents a critical pathway to creative and technological empowerment. While this marks Siza's sixth lab that she has organized, it's only the second immersive incubator under the Matamba brand. This program serves as a strategic build-up to their upcoming Matamba Immersiv Festival, preparing women and Zimbabwean creators to showcase their works in the emerging field of XR content. The current cohort demonstrates the organization's evolving approach, with two teams including male participants alongside women, signaling a more inclusive vision of creative development.

The November festival will be a significant platform for African creativity, challenging the dominance of European content in immersive media. With plans to issue a call for creative submissions around June and July, Siza is committed to creating a sustainable model that addresses the considerable technological and financial challenges of hosting such an event. The incubator aims to ensure that local creators are well-prepared to showcase their innovative work, providing them with the skills, resources, and exposure needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving world of immersive technologies. Follow Matamba Film Labs on Facebook & Instagram to see how their programs continue to develop throughout the year. 3. Fellowships and Recognition Siza's journey has been punctuated by transformative fellowship experiences, most notably the Mandela Washington Fellowship in 2015 and the Echoing Green Fellowship in 2024. These opportunities have been more than personal achievements—they represent critical support systems for her and the women of Matamba. The Echoing Green Fellowship, in particular, stands out for its holistic approach, focusing on investing in the individual beyond just their project.

What makes these fellowships remarkable is their commitment to the wellbeing of creatives. They recognize that core support often extends beyond financial resources, addressing the personal and professional development of leaders. For Siza, these recognitions have been game-changing, providing resources, visibility, and opportunities that are typically difficult to access for women in technology and creative industries. Read her full bio here to find out more about the amazing work she has been doing and continues to do.

4. Immersive Gallery

Siza's vision for an immersive gallery emerges from a critical gap in Zimbabwe's creative landscape: the limited distribution channels for local content. This innovative space will explore new storytelling approaches while addressing a fundamental question: How can Zimbabwe's talented storytellers not only create compelling narratives but also generate sustainable economic value from their work?

By exploring new technological platforms and distribution models, the immersive gallery represents a strategic intervention to bridge gaps between local creatives and potential global audiences. It's a direct response to the scarcity of local distribution resources, aiming to create new pathways for creative expression and economic opportunity.

5. Creative Vision and Future Outlook

Beyond her immediate projects, Siza's creative philosophy is rooted in accessibility, excellence, and local empowerment. She aims to demystify immersive technologies, challenging the perception that such platforms are exclusively for elite creators. Her approach with Matamba Film Labs reflects a commitment to quality alongside inclusion—firmly believing that opportunities should be merit-based rather than merely filling quotas.

Looking forward, Siza continues to bridge local creatives with global opportunities while emphasizing that capacity enhancement must precede opportunity. "It's not good to give women opportunities just to meet quotas when their work isn't ready," she notes. Instead, Matamba focuses on equipping women with skills so that "when opportunity comes knocking, they are ready." This deliberate approach ensures that African stories are not just told, but told well—heard, valued, and competitive on global platforms.

Follow Siza's creative journey today:

Siza Mukwedini on Facebook / Instagram / Bio / LinkedIn

Matamba Film Labs For Women on Facebook / Instagram / Website

The Leadership In Health Technology Symposium Event / Exhibit Form

Bonus Context: Leadership in Health Technology Symposium

As a testament to her broader vision, Siza's Matamba Film Labs is currently co-facilitating a groundbreaking Leadership in Health Technology Symposium. Supported by the American Embassy in Zimbabwe and scheduled for March 29th, the event operates under the theme "Implementing Digital Health and AI: Saving Lives, Saving Money". The symposium aims to foster discussions around emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality in healthcare, representing another innovative platform for technological and social transformation. You can read more about this event here / click on the image above.