Meet The Team

Simbarashe Mudhokwani is a researcher and M&E specialist. His expertise includes research work that ranges from baseline studies, midline surveys, endline surveys, mapping studies, desk reviews, feasibility studies etc. He has over 10 years experience in the culture and creative industries. Mudhokwani has coordinated a number of funded projects under European Union, conducted M&E and supported the Zimbabwe's creative sector. He has managed other portfolios of projects in the creative industries granted support by key development financiers, which include; Sida, Hivos, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and DANIDA that had annual budget allocations exceeding USD 1 million per year.  His experience also include working in other sectors such as Food Security, Gender, Youth, WASH and livelihoods. 

Bathusi Lesolobe is an accomplished researcher with a deep understanding of creative background of Botswana. He brings to the team vast experience in project cycle management, training knowledge in Intellectual Property (IP) rights, IP advisory services. He has over fifteen (15) years of hands-on experience in creative industry sector. His experiences extends to also engaging in the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Expert facility for Botswana where he has emerged as cultural trainer who interacted with many individuals, groups and communities often marginalised. Chief amongst his expertise, Lesolobe, was a member of Botswana’s national Presidential Task Team for vision 2036 where he represented the arts, culture and creative industries as well as the intellectual property sector. Furthermore he is working as a creative industries expert who led a team of those that concluded working on development framework-Sector Human Resources Development Plan for the Creative Industries.

Maanka A. Chipindi is an experienced arts administrator with 15 years of working experience in the cultural and creative sectors in Zambia. He has specialized in creative business operations, strategy, and skills development and has expertise in policy development, implementation and general technical support in arts development. Maanka has a professional passion for the arts and believes activities such as festivals, fairs, and events are critical to job creation and can transform communities. Through his work at the National Arts Council (NAC) Zambia, Maanka has established an extensive creative network within the Southern African region and beyond.

James Thole is a Malawian based international expert of the culture and creative industry. He holds a deep understanding of the Malawian culture and creative sector. Thole has been in the creative industries since 2003, working in the Arts Management sector within the Malawi Public Service. He has collaborated with various stakeholders, both public and private, in carrying out research on the arts throughout Malawi. His experiences include working with independent and state-actors. Currently Thole, is working as an expert of the respective UN Agency responsible for education, science and culture. He therefore works on national and get to be consulted on regional assignments under the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions Expert facility.

Given Goteka holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science (University of Zimbabwe) and has been volunteering as a social scientist with a number of community based organisations. He has contributed to the work on projects supported by UNICEF and NORAD. His people person character caused engagement as one of the young communications and marketing officer with an internet and networking company where he worked  for more than 5 years. Given understands research, communication and youth's digital and popular culture from within and beyond urban communities. While joining, seasoned players in the industry, Given carries enough understanding of communication, digital media, reporting and M&E analysis. His interests include working with the marginalized people, driving communication in the digital environment and promoting equity and equality.

Rufus Maculuve is a researcher, arts manager, lecturer and musician. He is a co-founder of Kaleidoscopio – Research in Public Policy and Culture. His influential work in the culture and creative industries in Mozambique has made him to work on creative industries research, which has focused on the challenges and potential job creation in Mozambique. Rufus brings a diversified expertise through his stunt exposure of having worked and leading a team that was responsible for the city of Maputo candidacy to UNESCO ́s Creative Cities. His diverse area relates to soundscapes of the Indian Ocean, where he is a member of a couple of international research groups with works published in reputed journals bringing a great feel of exposure.