Twenty-nine of Zimbabwe’s brightest young performers are packing their bags for China for an eight-day cultural adventure aimed at showcasing local music and dance on the international stage.
The DreamStar talent development programme delegation is expected to return to Harare on October 16, following five performances across Shanghai, Xi’an and Yan’an.
Organiser Steve Zhao said the trip was about far more than performing on stage, as the young artists are expected to engage with Chinese cultural institutions, government officials, universities and potential industry partners.
“The initiative goes beyond performances, with discussions expected to explore opportunities for Zimbabwean artists to access international platforms, education and professional partnerships,” Zhao said.
Three performances are scheduled for Shanghai, followed by one each in Xi’an and Yan’an.
Xi’an is expected to provide a particularly colourful backdrop for the Zimbabwean performers. Formerly known as Chang’an, the city served as the capital of 13 Chinese dynasties, including the Tang Dynasty, which ruled between 618 and 907, and was a key centre along the ancient Silk Road.
Yan’an, meanwhile, represents a different chapter in China’s history. Known for its strong links to the country’s revolutionary past, the city is home to hundreds of revolutionary sites and memorials.
DreamStar has combined entertainment with cultural diplomacy for more than a decade.
Launched in 2014, the programme has grown into one of Zimbabwe’s prominent talent development platforms, with its organisers and Chinese partners working together to identify, nurture and expose young local performers to opportunities beyond the country’s borders.
The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe says more than 300 DreamStar participants have taken part in cultural exchange programmes and academic studies in China, highlighting the scale of the relationship that has developed around the initiative.
The programme’s links with China are well established. In 2019, the Chinese Embassy described DreamStar as a flagship China-Zimbabwe cultural exchange initiative, noting that hundreds of young Zimbabwean artists had already travelled to China for performances, festivals and cultural programmes.
This year’s delegation comprises contestants from the 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions of the programme, following the cancellation of a planned trip to China in 2025.
Judith Mhlanga, a top-five finalist in the 2025 edition, views the trip as an opportunity to advance her career beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
“I believe that it’s a big opportunity for me to showcase my talent and to do more and unveil more talents that I have,” said Mhlanga, a Harare-based contemporary singer who performs across several genres.
Peter Amel, the second runner-up in the 2021 edition, credits DreamStar with helping him record and release music through prize money, while opening doors that might otherwise have remained firmly shut.
The trip to China will also mark his first international journey.
“I’m going to perform through music, to go out of the country through music. It’s a great experience that I’m looking forward to,” he said.
Dance will also take centre stage, led by Shadreck Moyo, affectionately known by his stage name Stifler, who is a member of the Pandas, the winning dance group from the 2025 DreamStar edition.
The Pandas specialise in African-style dance, offering Chinese audiences an opportunity to experience Zimbabwean and broader African performance traditions.
DreamStar’s latest Chinese adventure comes as the platform enters its second decade.
The 2026 grand finale was held in Harare on August 15, with Chinese Ambassador Zhou Ding and Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Emily Jesaya among the guests.
Ambassador Zhou said the programme had been held for 10 consecutive years and reaffirmed China’s support for sending young Zimbabwean artists to China for cultural exchanges and professional training.
Zhao said the broader objective was to create a pathway from raw talent to sustainable careers by connecting young Zimbabwean artists with international audiences, institutions and potential investors.
Although Zimbabwe has no shortage of creative talent, organisers say artists still need greater investment, promotion and access to international markets to realise their full potential.
Through this trip, DreamStar hopes to turn a cultural handshake into something more substantial: new audiences, fresh collaborations and, potentially, the international breakthrough that could transform the careers of Zimbabwe’s emerging artists.
