SHOKO Festival director Farai “Comrade Fatso” Munroe says the COVID-19 pandemic was a blessing in disguise as it gave them new ideas on how to improve the hosting of the annual urban culture jubilee.

After running the festival virtually for the past two years, this year’s 12th edition which roared to life on Tuesday is capitalising on the relaxed COVID-19 regulations to assume a hybrid format whereby most of its events are being held physically, while others remain on the virtual platform.

Some of the festival’s events are being hosted online to cater for those who may not be able to physically attend. Regarded as the country’s biggest urban culture event, Shoko Festival, organised by Magamba Network, runs until Saturday at venues spread across Harare and Chitungwiza.

Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style on the sidelines of the festival’s opening ceremony on Tuesday at Moto Republik in the capital, Comrade Fatso said they were committed to providing the space for both untapped and seasoned creatives to showcase their talents.

Originally published in NewsDay

Kibo Ngowi