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Zimbabwe’s longest-running urban culture festival, Shoko Festival, is thrilled to unveil its 14th Edition which will run from the 26th to the 28th of September 2024 in Harare & Chitungwiza with the running theme “Both Sides of Samora.”

This year’s festival theme #BothSidesOfSamora shines a light on the road that has historically separated different social classes. Different arts genres and cultures have often been divided by Samora Machel Avenue. Shoko 2024 will be happening on both sides of Samora and will be building a unique platform that showcases the bubbling urban culture from uptown to downtown, and from the suburbs to the hood. The theme #BothSidesOfSamora pays homage to the young cultural pioneers shaping Zimbabwe’s future and turning dreams into reality through their daily acts of creative resistance.

Shoko Festival Coordinator, Vera Chisvo, says this year’s all star line up seeks to celebrate diversity, “This year we are so amped to celebrate the diverse backgrounds of young people who are joined together through the love of music and performing arts.”

The festival promises to bring together a diverse array of hip hop, dancehall, stand up comedy and spoken word through its various events over three days including Mashup Night, Shoko Comedy Night, both in Harare, and the main event, the Peace in the Hood Concert in Chitungwiza. Shoko also offers an inspiring programme of talks and bootcamps on digital media, tech and the creative economy at its Hub Unconference event which will happen in the lead up to Shoko on the 24th to the 25th of September at Moto Republik.
Over the years, Shoko has hosted a powerful line up of African urban culture pioneers like Casper Nyovest, HHP, AKA, Tehn Diamond, Tumi Morake, Kikky Badass and Winky D.

Shoko Festival is a celebration of free expression, cutting-edge urban art, and alternative youth culture. It is a project of Magamba Network, Africa’s trailblazing creative and digital media organization.