HARARE – Zimbabwe’s longest-running festival of urban culture, Shoko Festival 2025, rolled into life today with the Hub UnConference at the Harare Gardens under the theme “Decolonize the Internet.”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Africa’s place in shaping its future took centre stage at the Hub UnConference, with keynote speaker Takura Zhangazha warning that the continent risks cultural and economic dependence if it fails to critically engage with AI technologies.

In a presentation titled “Decolonizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa: Technology Ownership, Cultural Mimicry and a Necessary Renewed Progressive African Consciousness,” Zhangazha argued that AI is fast becoming the continent’s new “maxim gun” — a powerful tool reshaping human behaviour, but largely controlled by the West and China.

“AI is the new cultural and economic maxim gun in Africa,” Zhangazha said. “It is not killing us physically, but it is modifying African human behavior into falling in line with global north or western values.”

Zhangazha noted that while AI is being rapidly adopted across Africa — from classrooms to entertainment platforms — ownership of the underlying technologies remains firmly outside the continent.

“We do not as Africans own an iota of AI,” he stressed. “Every time you log into a social media account or decide to use ChatGPT or any other technology to construct something, you do not own it. The algorithm is not yours at all.”

The keynote drew parallels between 19th-century colonial conquests and the present-day dominance of AI platforms. Just as the maxim gun shifted the balance of power during the scramble for Africa, Zhangazha suggested AI could entrench new forms of cultural hegemony if left unchecked.

Beyond critique, Zhangazha called for African societies to develop progressive approaches to AI, rooted in cultural identity and Pan-African consciousness.

“We need to establish a new way forward, one that focuses beyond mimicry of global north AI,” he said. “Even if we don’t own the machines, we can challenge its hegemonic intent culturally.”

The Shoko Hub UnConference runs from September 24–25, setting the stage for four days of vibrant cultural exchange. Thursday brings the Comedy Night, headlined by King Kandoro alongside Kenya’s Justine Wanda and top Zimbabwean comedians including Mike Chipere, Munya, and Mbongeni Ignatius Ndlovu.

Friday’s Mash Up Night promises an international explosion of sound with Reason AKA Sizwe Alakine, the South African star bridging hip hop and amapiano, and UK rapper OneDa, who will collaborate with rising local acts Yadis and Enhle. Legendary producer Take Fizzo, urban grooves pioneers Mafriq and Trinity, and Kenyan spoken word artist Mufasa also feature in the star-studded line-up.

Now in its 15th edition, Shoko Festival is running under the theme “The Legacy XV”, celebrating its role as Zimbabwe’s premier platform for alternative urban culture and progressive dialogue.

©️ 📷 Shoko Festival