Zimfest marketing is certainly strident this year and much is promised, but will they be able to deliver on these promises? What you have to remember is that we have grown the festival each year by about 15% on the back of teams of pure volunteers, slaving after work and in their spare time. Thanks to the literal tears, blood and sweat of these unsung heroes, we now have one of the most powerful charity fests in the world and one of the best teams in place to really make it fly. Zimfest is one of those rare events in the current festival scene that has grown organically and is not a vehicle designed by a corporate entity to further its goals. It was started nine years ago by a group of Zimbabweans in the UK from every ethnic group: Shona, a Ndebele, coloured (mixed race), white and even one or two loose Rhodies! The festival has built itself incredible goodwill over the years.
And finally, there are things about this year that do look like they really are going to be sorted. For instance there will be a professional logistics company making sure theres bog roll, power to all amenities and security stopping fence jumpers once and for all.
The music mix is much more eclectic and has high quality throughout. Says Mike Tashaya from the marketing team, We wanted the community to take ownership of every moment of the festival, to love the diversity and want to be there and soak up the vibe all day.