Global Acts Anchor 2025 Jacaranda Festival

Rutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now Reporter

This year’s edition of the Jacaranda Music Festival will run from October 3 to 5, 2025, at Thornpark Polo Grounds, with organisers placing increased focus on pre-festival industry workshops to promote local talent and foster music business development.

Launched in 2018, the annual event has grown into a signature platform for cultural exchange and professional mentorship within Zimbabwe’s creative arts sector.

Festival director Walter Wanyanya said preparations were at an advanced stage, with both the music and educational components confirmed.

“This year’s festival will feature three full days of music, but more importantly, we will continue with our tradition of hosting workshops before the performances,” Wanyanya said.

“These sessions are key in equipping our local artists with business knowledge, industry linkages, and insights from international players.”

The festival has announced the first phase of its 2025 performance lineup, led by South African Afro-pop giants Mafikizolo, along with Murumba Pitch and Vusi Nova, also from South Africa.

Local performers confirmed so far include Agga Nyabinde, DJ Ace, and DJ Spunj, with more artists set to be announced.

Wanyanya said the workshops will include facilitators from record labels, corporate sponsors, and global entertainment professionals, giving artists a rare chance to network and learn directly from industry leaders.

“People from record labels and music business professionals will be coming to support artists in their growth. It’s about building a stronger creative economy and empowering talent with tools to navigate the global music landscape,” he said.

Since its inception, the Jacaranda Music Festival has promoted genre diversity and provided a stage for Zimbabwean musicians to perform alongside international stars, positioning itself as a music industry incubator in the region.