Danai Gurira Brings Hollywood Energy Home with Africa Voices Now! Festival
The global superstar is back in Zimbabwe to launch Africa Voices Now!, a landmark festival showcasing the nation's rising playwrights and inspiring a new generation of creative talent.
A New Era for African Theatre
Global superstar Danai Gurira has returned home not for a red carpet, but to light a fire under the nation's theatre scene. The Black Panther actress is launching Africa Voices Now!, a three-week festival opening October 18 at the Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre in Harare.
“This festival represents our transition from private institution to public engagement,” said Gurira, who co-founded Almasi Arts Trust in 2012. “After 13 years of intensive development, we are ready to demonstrate that Zimbabwean theatre can compete internationally while remaining authentically African.”
The Premieres
The festival premieres three new plays from Almasi-trained Zimbabwean playwrights, each tackling universal themes through a distinctly African lens:
- Can We Talk? by Batsirai Chigama: Explores the emotional fallout between three sisters brought together by the death of a sibling who refuses to be buried.
- These Humans Are Sick by Tatenda Mutyambizi: Set in the gritty streets of a Harare ghetto, where ambition, desperation, and survival collide.
- The Return by Rudo Mutangadura: Focuses on two estranged sisters clashing over family duty, culture, and what it means to belong.
“These three plays showcase the extraordinary talent that has been quietly developing within Zimbabwe,” said Zaza Muchemwa, Almasi’s Director. “Each playwright brings a unique voice to universal themes, proving that African narratives have global relevance.”
Publicist Phil Chard described the event as "a cultural moment," adding, "We’re witnessing the emergence of a new artistic era — one that’s proudly African, unapologetically local, and globally resonant."
Inspiring the Next Generation
Almasi isn’t stopping at performances. A major part of the festival is its Cultural Education Equity Initiative, an outreach program targeting over 500 students across 10 Harare schools.
The initiative includes subsidised tickets, theatre workshops, post-show talkbacks, and meet-and-greet opportunities with the cast and playwrights—all designed to inspire the next generation and promote sustainable arts careers.
“We’re not only staging plays but we’re making a statement. Young Zimbabweans don’t have to leave their culture or continent to be heard. Their stories matter here. Their voices belong now.” — Phil Chard
Frequently Asked Questions
Danai Gurira is a Zimbabwean-American actress, award-winning playwright, and activist. She is best known for her roles as Michonne on AMC's The Walking Dead and as General Okoye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, including Black Panther.
Gurira was born in Grinnell, Iowa, to Zimbabwean parents. She moved with her family to Harare, Zimbabwe, at age five and lived there until she was 18, after which she returned to the United States for her higher education.
Her most recognized roles are:
- Michonne Hawthorne in the AMC horror series The Walking Dead (2012–2020) and its spin-off, The Ones Who Live (2024).
- General Okoye, head of the Dora Milaje, in Marvel's Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).
Yes, Gurira is a celebrated playwright. She started writing to tell stories about contemporary African people, particularly women. Her notable, award-winning plays include In the Continuum (2005), Eclipsed (2009), and The Convert (2011).
She is a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for gender equality and women's rights. She also founded the non-profit Love Our Girls to raise awareness of issues affecting women and co-founded the Almasi Arts Alliance to support theater education in Zimbabwe.
Match Panels to Inverter
Tips for optimal system performance.
3.5kVA Inverter Load Guide
Explore residential setup capabilities.
Best Solar Panels Zimbabwe
Analysis of performance and durability.
Solar Companies Zimbabwe
Customer service and reliability.
Best Solar Panel Brands
Guide for home and business solutions.
Solar Installers Zimbabwe
Professional and certified installers.
3kVA System Cost Guide
Get pricing information for Zimbabwe.
5kVA System Cost Guide
Budget requirements for systems.
David (Solar Sales)