Day 3 of the Texpo kicked off with a number of events in Bulawayo at Zimbabwe’s Music Academy on the 23rd of April. The main highlight of the day was a panel discussion featuring Mandipa Masuku (Business Entrepreneur), Mpi Ndebele (Innovator and Tech Enthusiast), and Saimon Mambazo Phiri (Entrepreneur and Artist) as the panelists, with Tariro Chaniwa, also known as Tariro Ne Gitare, serving as the moderator.

The discussion focused on “Turning Passion into Profit,” with the sub-theme “The Business of Creativity: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities.”

Tariro Chaniwa opened the discussion by sharing her journey. Her first international tour to Germany inspired her to turn her passion for the arts into profit. She informed the audience that during this tour, she managed to headline at least 22 events in under three weeks.

She described the experience as a “wake-up call,” as it taught her that passion can indeed generate revenue. Among the key lessons she highlighted were: diversifying revenue streams, brand building, networking, and adaptability.

“I want to share with you my journey that transformed my understanding of the creative economy and showed me how to turn passion into profit. It is a story that began in 2013 when I embarked on my first international tour to Germany. In just three weeks, we performed in twenty-two shows, showcasing our art to diverse audiences. It was exhilarating and challenging, but most importantly, it was a wake-up call. I realised that our craft was not just about passion, it was about creating value, generating revenue, and sustaining ourselves,” said Tariro.

She encouraged the audience, the majority of whom were youth, to identify their unique value proposition and what sets their art apart. She also urged them to build strategic partnerships and stay adaptable and innovative.

On the other hand, Saimon Mambazo Phiri shared his journey of becoming a prominent international artist. His message emphasized how young people can use their networks to succeed and profit in life. He also spoke about the challenges he faced in monetising his passion, particularly the difficulty his family had in accepting his path at a young age.

Saimon advised the audience to use technology wisely for their benefit, not to abuse it. He gave an example of how creating a film helped him gain followers on social media and how the project later became a source of income.

Speaking at the same event, panelist Mpi Ndebele, an Innovator and Tech Enthusiast, invited young people to visit The OASIS, a community center hub that offers a platform for individuals from various sectors to share their ideas with the world. He echoed the sentiments of other panelists, stating that technology is transforming every sector globally and must be embraced.

Finally, Mandipa Masuku, a Business Entrepreneur and Music Event Organiser, shared how she manages to balance her day-to-day responsibilities while running both food and music events.

She emphasised that for her, passion is profit an idea that helps her maintain focus and drive. All the panelists agreed that technology is currently the foundation or the mother of all foundations in today’s world, and adapting to it is essential for success.