The content creator`s wishlist
A content creator is a person who produces informative and entertaining material for publishing primarily on the digital space. Zimbabwe, of late, has been seeing an increase in content creators, who are finding different platforms to express themselves creating a diverse pool of information.
Every democracy needs to have its fair share of content creators who can capture events, interpret them and in some instances speak truth to power.
We spoke to a number of local content creators, seeking their views on how they would like their environment to be like for them to thrive. Here is what they said;
Onai Shonhiwa – Founder Capital 26Free podcasts, public health content creator, scientist
Guaranteed freedom after speech. Creators operate in an environment with a fear of persecution if their products are not of a journalistic nature. Some of the content that is created by creators speaks about political issues which in some instances, are in contradiction with those who hold political office. As a result, there is an un-drawn but existing line which ceators toe.
Not having to create things just because the funder (place name here) says so. Some prominent benefactors will fund the arts dependent on a specific “agenda”. Some creatives just want to create.
Creators would like financially sustainable to stay afloat. As creators in Zimbabwe, what at times lacks are outlets to perform or showcase their work in a way that they can be paid for. There are a few galleries, open mics, “stages” to cater for creatives to perform. Where these do exist, they either have a pay wall that may be too high for the majority of the prospective audiences. Whilst there are some vibrant spaces, they need help to stay viable, more corporate support for longer stints for example, a three year partnership with a bank for a local arts festival.
For the people with the power to change the landscape to be more progressive about what the media is now. Creatives in Zimbabwe should be allowed to promote government initiatives without hindrances of doing it the old way. For example the imaging of the potential of the Zimbabwean tourism industry would be better done by much progressive creatives than the traditional ones.
Patience Phiri – Host Queening with the Empress on CiteZW
I would like an environment where people are free to fully express their creativity. For people to hear that some of the everyday issues they face can be put forward for the way that is palatable for many. The environment should allow people creative freedom. If that happens, it means important conversations can be presented in a better way and people can be free to engage.
My wish is for content creators to be taken seriously and to be valued. It is so easy for people to say there is no talent in Zimbabwe, while comparing us to content creators in South Africa and the United States. They forget that you get what you pay for, people are not willing to pay for adverts, for the work they put in they disrespect it yet when you look at the country itself it thrives on content creation. It thrives on the creative industry, all these things people are seeing it is on the backbone of content creators. Being paid what we actually deserve, not being paid like someone is feeling This is wrong, and this is why you see more content creators leaving the country and going to thrive
Kirkpatrick Chidamba – Freelance Documentary Photographer
We, as content creators, are striving to tell our story to a global audience with an unattainable quality appetite. Access to technical resources, networks and locations even remain a constraint in the creation exercise. There is no growth of an industry if most of the top players can’t stand on the global stage.
Takunda Mandura – Journalist (Host Tuesday Talk with Taku on Open Parly)
For I wish to have a working environment which is free from harassment of journalists, where one can operate with fear of being victimised due to polarization.
The working environment has been neither cold nor hot but some days are better than others but that does mean the environment is perfect there is more that needs to be done.
Thembelihle Zulu – Blogger (thembiterry.co.zw)
Content creators can’t work in a vacuum, we need the brands, the audience, the Government and most of all, we need each other. We need to collaborate more instead of competing. There is room for everyone. However, the lack of support from corporates and the Government gives the illusion that we are fighting for limited space in a Zupco and it’s the last bus headed home. A conducive environment for creatives includes a functional, balanced ecosystem with diverse voices where everyone plays their part. It’s hard to be creative when you are hungry. Fak’ imali uzobona! Inject money into the creative industry and see how everyone will flourish. Most creatives started with a zero budget, imagine what we could do if we had funding? As creatives, we need to respect our craft and dedicate time to perfecting it. Create content that’s of value and not just monetarily.
Ronald Magweta – Editor Zimtainment
Looking at the current operating environment, I wish as content creators we should have collaborations, there is obviously great content that comes out when two or more content creators combine their ideas. Another thing, I wish the ‘consumers’ of our content would for once support local content creators, I mean, with enough support and encouragement it’s easy to be Zim’s TMZ but the moment you try something like that, you’ll be downplayed even by other content creators. So maybe if we have, let’s say Unions, that are effective and are led by content creators with the same vision with others, we’ll prosper. One last thing is funding, working on a zero budget and expecting to come up with a dope product is just something else.
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Content creation is sometimes a lonely journey. Once the audience starts demanding more, the pressure and expectations rise, very few slow down to observe what the content creators would want to see in their operating environment. It is our hope that policy makers go through the wishes of the players in the creative industry and understand their concerns.