Staff Writer
On April 25, Artopia in Arundel Village will transform into a hub of radical imagination as the Pan Afrikan Poets Café presents “Ko Afrofuturism Chii?” – an interactive exploration of how Zimbabwean creatives can shape and claim their future narratives.
The brainchild of Melbourne-based Zimbabwean scholar-artist Sista Zai (vaChihera), this Open (He)Art Lab promises to be more than just a workshop.
It’s a homecoming of ideas, bringing global Afrofuturist conversations back to Harare’s vibrant creative community.
“Afrofuturism isn’t just about spaceships and robots,” explains Sista Zai, a PhD candidate in Creative Writing at the University of Melbourne. “It’s about asking – what does a thriving African future look like on our own terms? How do we get there through our art and stories?”
The event marks a full-circle moment for the accomplished writer, who founded Melbourne’s Pan Afrikan Poets Café in 2015 to amplify African voices in Australia’s literary scene.
After organizing sold-out events with international stars like New York’s slam poetry queen Mahogany L Browne, she’s now turning her focus homeward.
“I returned last year and was thrilled to see Zimbabweans embracing Afrofuturism at events like ZICCA and the NAMAs,” Sista Zai shares. “But I noticed we’re all interpreting it differently. This lab is about sharing perspectives – from the diaspora and the continent – to build our own localized understanding.”
Participants can expect a dynamic, hands-on session where they’ll:
Examine diverse global definitions of Afrofuturism
Workshop their own creative projects at any stage of development
Collaborate to craft Zimbabwean-centered visions of the future
“Whether you’re a writer, visual artist, or just future-curious, you’ll leave ready to give your own TEDTalk on Afrofuturism,” Sista Zai promises with a laugh.
The event welcomes all backgrounds, though organizers note the content will particularly resonate with literary and visual artists. The only requirement? A willingness to actively imagine – and work toward – liberated African futures.
As Zimbabwe’s creative scene continues to evolve, “Ko Afrofuturism Chii?” offers a timely space to question, create and connect.
For Sista Zai, it’s about more than theory: “This is how we start building the futures we deserve.”
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