BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MALKERNS– Creative pioneers from Eswatini, South Africa, and Mozambique have officially joined forces to launch the Arts Incubator Corridor (AIC).
This pioneering regional network is designed to accelerate creative development, innovation, and market access across the continent, connecting dynamic creative ecosystems to drive skills development, creative entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange.
The initiative brings together three of Africa’s most impactful creative forces: House On Fire (Eswatini), AltBlk Continua (South Africa), and The X-Hub (Mozambique). With their respective legacies of establishing internationally acclaimed platforms, House On Fire’s Director, Jiggs Thorne, Multi-award-winning Artist and AltBlk>> Founder, Msaki, and X-Hub’s Founding Director, Paulo Chibanga, are pooling their resources and shared vision for sustainable creative industry development.
House On Fire’s Jiggs Thorne, the production force behind the MTN Bushfire and Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle festivals, emphasized that the AIC is built to move beyond temporary projects into a permanent, year-round model. “The Arts Incubator Corridor is about moving beyond isolated interventions towards a deliberate, structured framework for collaboration. By formalising how we work together, we’re able to support a sustained programme of action that creates meaningful linkages between creative ecosystems,” Thorne highlighted.
The proximity of the founding members’ neighboring countries offers a direct portal for sustained coordination and effective execution. This regional synergy is further strengthened by The X-Hub, a first-of-its-kind creative business incubator in Maputo and the visionaries behind the Azgo Festival.
Founding Director Paulo Chibanga noted that the corridor creates real pathways for creatives to professionalise and compete on a global scale. “By connecting incubation, skills development and market access beyond borders, we are creating real pathways for creatives to professionalise, collaborate and compete globally,” Chibanga expressed.
Furthering this mission is ALTBLK CONTINUA, an intentional platform created to strengthen independent musicians and cultural practitioners while safeguarding artist ownership.
According to Founder Msaki, the goal is to foster an environment where artists can navigate the region with intention and care. “Through intentional collaboration between Mozambique, Eswatini, and South Africa, we aim to build a connected ecosystem that meaningfully supports and serves artists in diverse and practical ways. Artists can move, connect, and be received with intention and care,” Msaki noted.
The outcomes of this year-round program are set to be comprehensive, including certified creative and entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and business incubation. Artist mobility will manifest through exchange residencies, touring, and co-creation labs, while market access will be achieved through joint fundraising initiatives and international partnerships on credible arts platforms.
The AIC Steering Committee will now oversee the implementation of a coordinated annual program and mobilize funding to expand the network’s footprint. Under the inspired and experienced leadership of Thorne, Chibanga, and Msaki, the AIC is extending opportunities for collaboration to organizations and creative professionals looking to achieve meaningful impact across the region through this groundbreaking platform.
#EPN#ArtsIncubatorCorridor #CreativeEconomy #HouseOnFire #AltBlkContinua #XHub #MTNBushfire #AzgoFestival #Msaki #JiggsThorne #PauloChibanga #SouthernAfricaArts #CreativeInnovation
(Courtesy Pic)
