The cultural journey of Joseph Sithole

BY SHARRON MYAMBO

At just thirty-seven years old, Joseph Sithole has carved a name for himself as one of Manicaland’s most celebrated cultural practitioners. Known in the arts sector by his stage name Bhasera, this poet, musician, traditional dancer, choreographer, comedian, author, researcher, scriptwriter and film producer has amassed a collection of accolades that would be the envy of artists twice his age.

Born on the 13th of October 1988 in Chipinge, Sithole now resides in Mutare, where he continues to build on his impressive artistic and cultural journey. He is a father of two, a boy and a girl, and his commitment to his craft is matched only by his dedication to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of his homeland.

Sithole’s formal education includes an O’ Level certificate. He trained as a teacher at Marymount Teachers College. He is also a student at Great Zimbabwe University, where he is working towards a BEd Honours Degree in ChiNdau. In the meantime, he is putting his skills into practice as a student teacher at Victory Primary School.

Joseph’s artistic journey began long before his formal training.

In 2014, he reached the provincial finals of the Chibuku Road to Fame music competition and went on to claim second place at the national finals. Three years later, in 2017, he led his group to first prize at the Chibuku Neshamwari traditional dance competition’s Manicaland provincial finals, further cementing his reputation as a performer of exceptional talent.

Sithole’s contributions to cultural documentation have been nothing short of groundbreaking. In 2018, he produced the Inside Ndau Culture, thirteen episode Television documentary series that was sponsored by the Zimdigital Migration Programme. The documentary first aired on ZTV from October 2020 to January 2021 and proved so popular that it was replayed from July to September 2025.

His most recent documentary project, entitled MAIDE, which stands for Manicaland Attached Instruments and Dance Exploration, is another thirteen-part series. Sponsored by the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust, this ambitious production covers the traditional dances found in all seven districts of Manicaland. The documentary was created with two clear goals: to achieve the original sound of Manicaland and to keep alive the practice of these dances for future generations. It was broadcast on ZTV from October 2025 to January 2026.

Sithole is also an accomplished author. His Ndau poetry book, Chibongo CheShwiro, earned him the prestigious Presidential Award for the Best Innovation in Arts and Humanities at the 2024 Presidential Fair Awards ceremony, held at the Sheraton Hotel in Harare. He followed this success by claiming the overall winner title in the same category in 2025 for his MAIDE documentary project.

In addition to his work in film and literature, Sithole is a skilled mbira and marimba player, having trained as a music student and obtained a National Certificate in 2016. He leads the Charurwa Muchongoyo Traditional Dance Group and serves as the treasurer for the Manicaland Association of Creative Arts.

With a teaching qualification on the horizon and a degree in progress, Joseph Sithole Bhasera shows no signs of slowing down. His story is one of perseverance, passion and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that the cultural treasures of Manicaland are not only preserved but celebrated for generations to come.

Sithole is a regular performer at Ndau Festival of the Arts accompanied by his outfits. He is to grace the 2026 edition of Ndau Festival of the Arts at Paiyepo Arts & Cultural Centre, Chikore, Chipinge in Zimbabwe.

The 2026 edition of cultural tourism Ndau Festival of the Arts shall run under the theme: “Ndau Creative Unplugged: Local artistes, writers, and performers pushing boundaries in cultural and economic empowerment.”