Experienced Creative Producer Tobias Kusano Charts Rise from Rusvingo to Regional Influence

Creative producer Tobias Kusano’s two-decade rise from Rusvingo to the regional arts scene highlights his journey through Zimbabwe’s music and film industry (image source)

Born into a working-class family of eight in Highfields, Tobias Kusano is an industry veteran who has built a two-decade career that bridges studio production, artist management, and grassroots arts development. His journey from Rusvingo Primary through multiple secondary schools and into the heart of Harare’s creative economy reflects both the informal resilience and professional ambition that drive Zimbabwe’s cultural sector.

Kusano’s early exposure to media began in 2003 at Kay Afe Photography while he attended tertiary college. Working as an assistant cameraman and videographer under Vitalis Jeremiah, he cut his teeth on location shoots and live events, joining the Red Rose Entertainment crew and learning practical production skills that would shape his career. Those formative years established a pattern: combine study with hands-on work, seek mentorship, and move quickly from support roles into creative leadership.

Between 2013 and 2017 he worked at Diamond Studios, progressing from general worker to Assistant A&R Manager. There he honed archival practices and studio operations under senior mentors such as John Muroyi, Jabulani Ndlovu, and Isaac Masendeke. That period was pivotal — he developed a disciplined approach to cataloguing, quality control, and artist scouting that later informed his executive producing and A&R work.

A series of managerial roles followed. In 2017 Kusano joined NewWave Studios as A&R Logistics Manager and Executive Producer, then moved to BothMedia Studios in 2018 and Passion Records in 2019, maintaining a focus on logistics, talent development, and production oversight. These positions demanded a blend of administrative precision and creative judgment — coordinating recording schedules, managing budgets, and aligning producers, engineers, and talent to meet tight deadlines.

After the COVID-19 disruption, he co-founded Metro Media Studios with DJ Tando, a partnership that revitalised his practical production output and broadened his networks. Metro produced numerous urban releases and worked with both emerging acts and established names, including Progress Chipfumo and Mkoma Soma Ndebele. The studio’s output demonstrated a capacity to convert street-level creativity into marketable recordings — an increasingly valuable skill as digital distribution reshapes revenue models across the region.

Beyond studio work, Kusano has accumulated managerial experience across theatre and record labels, from Wachema Chema Arts Theatre to Vybstar Records, Zoey and Red Angels, Welly Mhandu, and Tindo Ngwazi. He also managed artists and projects for film outfits such as Jibilika Dance, Naxo Films, and Tobby na Jai Films, and participated in anti-piracy efforts with the National Anti-Piracy Organisation (NAPOZ) during his time at BothMedia.

Today he sits on the board of Zicco, working with industry mentors including Dr Masembura, Sir Mhizha, and chairman Tendai Chiraya. His role blends governance with mentorship — advising emerging artists, supporting cross-border collaborations, and helping shape institutional responses to piracy, archiving, and talent development.

His story is practical counsel for aspiring creatives: embrace continual learning, capitalise on local networks, and treat every role as a stepping stone to leadership. In an industry where formal pathways are thin, his trajectory underscores the value of apprenticeship, community ties, and adaptability. As Zimbabwe’s creative economy seeks sustainable models, professionals who combine archival rigour, managerial discipline, and grassroots credibility like Kusano will be central to building scalable studios, credible labels, and resilient artist careers.