On 27 November, the Alliance Française in Bulawayo buzzed with color and rhythm with the launch of Bhekisipho Mafhola’s first solo exhibition, titled Zazaruka Zaruka Yaruka. The event which was held at night celebrated the artist’s vision of weaving Zimbabwe’s past, present and future into a vivid tapestry of African heritage.

Guests gathered under the warm glow of lanterns, surrounded by flat, bold hues of red, brown, blue, yellow and green that pulsed through stylised figures, baobab silhouettes, drums, clay pots and the lilac‑breasted roller, echoing the resilience of Shona and Ndebele traditions.

Bhekisipho, who grew up in a ghetto environment that sharpened his eye for nuance, explained his philosophy.

“Msika Vhanu everything comes from the earth, and my art is a bridge between cultures, inviting viewers to contemplate the beauty and significance of African values and lifestyle.”said Bheki.

After the opening, he reflected to My Kasi Magazine that the exhibition connects people to their past roots.

“This exhibition is a prayer, a drumbeat that connects us to our ancestors and to the soil that feeds us,”he said.

The event was supported by the French Embassy in Zimbabwe, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (Bulawayo) and the vibrant Bulawayo artist community, showcasing a shared commitment to nurturing young talent.

As visitors moved through the gallery, layers of line and texture offered meditation, while motifs of Ndebele beadwork and Shona patterns reminded all that tradition can live dynamically in contemporary expression.

Zazaruka Zaruka Yaruka promises to be a celebration of community, tradition and expression a reminder that cultural roots run deep.