Byo Lens Festival: A call for collaboration in the creative space

Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
The inaugural Bulawayo Lens Festival, held on Wednesday at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ), emphasised collaboration as a cornerstone for growth and monetisation in the media industry. Hosted at the Tirzah Gallery, the event drew media professionals, photographers, and digital storytellers, sparking a dialogue on overcoming disunity to elevate their craft.

Keynote speaker Farhan Achhava, a South Africa-based Indian photographer and proprietor of Pro Albums, urged Bulawayo photographers to embrace professionalism.
“Photographers in Bulawayo are often perceived as unprofessional, but there’s immense potential here. Media personnel need to be risk-takers, put in the effort to satisfy clients, and build solid brand relationships,” he said.
Achhava’s sentiment was echoed by Ernest “Umbalisi Omude” Makina, a digital storyteller who stressed the need for synergy over competition.

“Photographers and service providers should collaborate to avoid conflicts during events like weddings. Pre-event briefings are critical to ensuring smooth operations,” Makina advised.
Presiding over the event, Lady Tshawe, culture and heritage officer for Bulawayo City Council, highlighted photography’s integral role in the city’s arts scene.

The festival featured an esteemed panel, including Khaya Pardon — President of the Bulawayo Models Association; Ernet Sibanda, 2023 Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards Outstanding Photographer; and Bongani “Inkunzi” Ndlovu, a Chronicle journalist. Discussions ranged from professionalising photography to navigating relationships between photographers and the press.
Contributions from Kudakwashe Takundwa, blogger and social media strategist, and Cleopatra Dube, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) provincial arts manager for Bulawayo, further enriched the event. Topics covered included NACZ regulations, grants, wedding photography, photojournalism, and opportunities within the modelling industry.

The sessions equipped attendees with practical strategies for leveraging social media and adapting to evolving trends.
The festival also served as a prelude to the Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo, which commenced Thursday and runs until Saturday.
As the media landscape in Zimbabwe continues to shift, the resounding takeaway from the Bulawayo Lens Festival was clear: professionalism and collaboration are indispensable for the industry’s future success. –@MbuleloMpofu