Plot Mhako, the founder of Jibilika Dance Trust, is making waves for his outstanding movemnet which empowers the youth to get up and dance their way towards their dreams. The young urban culture aficionados believes in using street culture and art for a positive social impact.
In a brief interview with Zimbo Jam, Mhako gave the low down on what exactly Jibilika is all about.
Who is Plot Mhako?
Plot Mhako is a creative social entrepreneur, journalist and graphic designer. I am a youth and urban arts activist working to empower and educate the youth in Zimbabwe through Jibilika Dance Trust, a nonprofit organisation that promotes popular culture for engagement and development which I founded in 2007.
What is Jibilika?
Jibilika is youth urban arts organisation working to empower the voices and creative skills of young people through innovative Hip Hop programming, dance training, mentorship and volunteering in schools, communities.
Jibilika also works on strategies to professionalize young upcoming artists. One of our major undertakings is the annual national Jibilika Dance Festival which gave birth to all our projects.
What inspired the name?
The name was derived from the Kalanga word Tjibilika which means dance or move, so we removed the first letter for easy pronunciation and unique identity.
What has been your happiest moment personally and for Jibilika?
My happiest moment has been the ability to create a dance organisation and a movement for an art form which I was not part of since I never danced. That sense of fulfillment that comes from living your dream and seeing it grow and impact many people creates so much joy for me.
What has been the biggest challenge in founding the movement?
The biggest challenge was learning through experiences and navigating in a bad economy. However, all that taught me resilience and determination.
What is the objective of your platform?
Jibilika is a cultural platform for youth engagement, empowerment and development . We seek to equip youths with the knowledge, tools and opportunity that allows then to use their own art, media and ideas as a way to empower their voices internally, in their homes, schools, communities.
We are also involved in community outreach, dance training and civic development in an effort to expose teens and youth to new opportunities and potential livelihoods in the face of unemployment, HIV/AIDS and drug abuse.
Are you sustainable as an organisation and how?
We are thriving towards a self-sustainable model since last year when we struck a balance between commercial and social impact projects. We generate 50% of the income we need for our projects and that is complemented by a strong element of volunteerism that we foster amongst the young people we work with.
We have established a dance academy which has a double approach where we teach dance for free in communities and charge a fee to pre-schools and adults at our center in Harare.
The volunteer teachers for the community classes get rewarded from the commercial classes and performance contracts we get from corporates and NGOs. This has helped us sustain the movement.
How is this year’s program different?
This year’s festival program is more enhanced and empowering since it incorporates a creative business workshop, trainings, a film screening, urban fashion stall spot, music, film, beatbox, fashion and offers mentorship on various youth-related issues.
We will make use of five venues in the city and one community. We are also inviting special guests from the dance industry from SA who will grace the event.
Who is your target market?
The youth is our target market. Our programming is for the youth and by the youth.
What inspires you as a creative?
I am inspired by seeing. I observe a lot of things from a lot of places, cultures, media and that feeds my creativity. Youth energy powers my drive. The potential and zeal shown by young people pushes my drive.
How can people become involved?
People are free to be involved by either attending or participating in our programs or even volunteering their time and skills. They can contact us on Facebook page ‘Jibilika Dance Trust’ or via email. [email protected]
