Who is Walter Wanyanya?
Walter Wanyanya is an artist manager, music festival coordinator, and technology entrepreneur based in Harare, Zimbabwe. He is one of the co-founders and is a director at Arts Connect Africa. In 2015, he founded Ngoma Nehosho, an artist developmental and promotional company in Harare, Zimbabwe, which has become one of the leading live events in the country. Through Ngoma Nehosho, Walter worked with the late Dr. Oliver Mtukudzi until his untimely passing in January 2019. The company has also hosted artists such as Hugh Masekela (2015) and British Grammy Award-winning soul singer Joss Stone (2017). Furthermore, Walter is also the founder and artistic director of the Stanbic Bank Jacaranda Music Festival, the Carpe Diem festival. Jabulani Jazz Festival and The Flame Lily Rock Music Festival, which all take place in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Current Projects
The Stanbic Jacaranda Music Festival
Walter started The Stanbic Jacaranda Music Festival in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 2017. In the 8 years since the festival’s creation, it has grown into one of the region’s premier music events. The JMF is an annual celebration of African music and culture. The 2024 edition’s headline sponsor is Stanbic Bank, and it will take place from the 2nd to the 6th of October 2024. The festival will feature around 10–15,000 physical attendees, with many more streaming online. The SJMF is typically divided into two parts. The music conference and the concerts. The first two days of the event will feature a 2-day music business conference as a prelude. The music business conference is often a platform for music industry professionals, artists, and aspiring musicians from all over the world to engage in panels, workshops, and networking opportunities.
The last three days of the Stanbic Jacaranda Music Festival will feature a diverse line-up of musical artists from all over the world. Among the acts expected to feature at the festival this year. include DJ Neptune (NGR), Ace FRVR, Reverb 7, Micasa (SA), The Travellers Band, Dlala Thukzin, Freeman HKD and HKD Band, Agga Nyabinde, Skyroot, Shaku Shante, Expressions by Daniel Deuschle, Rax the DJ, Feli Nandi, Casper Nyovest (SA), Nutty O, Spunj, Backtrack Vocals (USA), Nomfusi (SA), Idoipe-Cuervo Lento (Spain), James Sakala (Zambia), Master H, St. Emmo, Mokoomba, Felo le tee (SA), among other music artistes.
The Carpe Diem Festival
The Carpe Diem Festival is unlike a few others in Africa. Is a festival exclusively for DJs. It is the b𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐉 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐙𝐢mbabwe. Carpe Diem comes up every three months. The next edition will come up in December 2024.
What’s Next?
Walter continues to be a proud promoter of Zimbabwean and African culture and music. As a festival operator, he continues to give artists across Africa platforms to shine. He continues to play a major role in the Arts Connect Africa network, driving the agenda of building a network of music industry professionals that will continue to deliver value across the continent and on the global stage.
