Conversation with Kuda Rice as he is nominated for the DStv Content Creator Awards

NATHANIEL GONDO 

HARARE – Multi-talented content creator Kuda Rice got nominated for the prestigious 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards set to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on October 12. He is nominated under the Pan-African Creator Award which is the new category that celebrates the very best African content creators.

The Zimbabwean creative faces fierce competition in the category as he is nominated alongside three Nigerians and a Ugandan who are Mark Angel, Tilda Harris, Charity Ekezie and Uncle Mo respectively.

The Pan-African Creator Award category recognises content creators who are doing phenomenal work on the African continent. Rice work has managed to carry significance and brilliance, which allowed him to be nominated alongside four other incredible content creators who have been doing amazing work. 

The nomination came after the awards put out a call for content creators to be nominated.

“I managed to send in my work in a new category that they had created, which is the Pan-African Content Creator Award category,” said Rice.

This is the third edition of the awards and it will celebrate the best and brightest content creators will allow the public to vote for the open five categories and unfortunately Rice category is not open for the public to vote.

In a conversation with ZimSphere expressed how excited he was for such an opportunity as it is always been his goal share his work.

“It’s something that is immensely important and significant for me because my sentiment as a creator has always been to have my work extend into different spaces,” he remarked.

He continued to pour his heart out: “I have always dedicated myself to maintaining my consistency as well as my commitment to creating, and to have my work recognised at such a high level is a true testament that there are people out there who are always watching. 

“Beyond everything, I am truly grateful and appreciative for the nomination and recognition. I look forward to the opportunities that this will bring and to the new world that will open up for me and my work.”

The nomination itself is a significant milestone to Rice and our industry. This is not the first time a Zimbabwean is nominated the prestigious awards as Kim Jayde was nominated at the inaugural awards in 2022 and won the Fashion and Style Award. She was to later return as a judge for the 2nd edition of the awards.

Kuda Rice [Image: TheAfricanSelfieStick]

The winners will receive a trophy and a prize hamper valued at approximately R5 000 but Rice is not much on the finance side but rather the opportunities that will be brought by the award itself.

Asked about his plans in his capacity as a creative and for the Zimbabwean creative industry if he were to win the award, Kuda Rice said it all. 

“If I am to win, this would be significant firstly to me as a creator. That level of recognition would open me up to different opportunities and spaces where I could have my work and my brand grow. This would be a massive benefit, as I plan to collaborate and work with different people, organisations, and brands outside of Zimbabwe. 

“Having a creative world, such as South Africa, open up to me as an opportunity would help increase my visibility, knowledge, and creativity. Secondly, winning would shine a spotlight on the Zimbabwean creative space.

“As I enter that space, I am somewhat of a representation of the immensely talented and genius creators that exist here in Zimbabwe. In most cases, these creators aren’t given the level of recognition and attention they need to be able to advance their craft.”

“This win would truly be an important one for all Zimbabwean creators and a form of inspiration to show the possibilities of having your work get into spaces you wouldn’t generally imagine your work getting into,” Rice concluded.