In a city filled with youthful energy yet grappling with social challenges, Yellow World stands out as a beacon of hope and positivity for Bulawayo’s young generation. Founded and driven by passionate youth, this dynamic organisation is on a mission to empower Zimbabwean youth through advocacy, entrepreneurship, and creative public spaces. More than just a community group, Yellow World believes in the power of young people to shape their own futures, offering platforms, programs, and spaces where their voices can be heard, their talents nurtured, and their potential unlocked. We sat down with the team behind Yellow World to learn more about their journey, their vision, and how they’re transforming challenges into opportunities for the youth of Bulawayo.
What is Yellow World, and what inspired the name?
“Yellow World was inspired by the idea of carrying positive energy every day. Yellow represents happiness it’s the color that reflects both when the sun rises and when it sets. That image of light and hope is central to who we are. At Yellow World, we want to see the world happy, optimistic, and full of purpose. We believe in the power of positivity to change lives.”
What challenges are Zimbabwean youths currently facing, and how is Yellow World responding to them?
“From what we’ve observed, Zimbabwean youth today are grappling with serious challenges, unemployment, drug and substance abuse, and a lack of safe, inclusive spaces where they can truly express themselves. That’s where Yellow World steps in.
We’re currently running a program called Youth City, primarily operating in Pumula, to tackle these social issues directly. Our work is structured around three main pillars:
- Advocacy: We create platforms for young people to speak out on issues affecting them at both community and city levels. This includes awareness campaigns, like Pumula’s Got Talent, that use entertainment to educate and engage on issues like substance abuse.
- Entrepreneurship: We equip youth with practical skills and training to improve their livelihoods. Through our revolving fund initiative, we also support small businesses in the community, helping them grow, employ others, and contribute to the local economy.
- Public Space Transformation: Recognising the need for safe, creative environments, we’re building spaces where young people can gather, express themselves, and feel safe. One of our key partnerships is with Home of Arts Entertainment and the Pumula Arts and Craft Centre in Pumula South, where this vision is already taking shape.”
How does Yellow World define “empowerment” in practice?
“To us, empowerment means giving power back to young people, allowing them to actively take part in improving their own lives. Too often, youth are handed pre-packaged programs that tell them what they need, without ever asking them. At Yellow World, we believe young people already have a voice and a vision. When they’re included in the planning and implementation of programs that directly affect them, that’s when true empowerment happens. It’s not about doing things for them, it’s about doing things with them.”
How did Yellow World begin, and what were some of the early challenges you faced?
Yellow World began as a media group under a program called Communication for Development, run by Plan International. At the time, we were focused on producing content for other youth-led organisations in the community, documenting their work, their impact, and their stories. But as we engaged more deeply, we realised we had stories of our own to tell, stories that needed platforms too.
That’s when the idea evolved. Led by artists and creatives, we transitioned into an arts association, using art as a powerful tool for development and youth empowerment.
Like many grassroots initiatives, our early journey wasn’t easy. Getting the name Yellow World recognised and officially registered was a major hurdle. Funding was scarce, and launching initiatives without resources was a constant challenge. But we persevered, and were uplifted by the support of organisations like Plan International, YASC, House of Arts Association, Dialogue on Shelter, and Junior Achievement Zimbabwe.
Our biggest breakthrough came through our international donor, Dreamtown, who has stood by us since 2019. Their continued support has helped bring our vision to life and expand our impact across Bulawayo.
What are some of the signature programs Yellow World has launched, and which one are you most proud of?
We’ve successfully run three major programs: Key to the City I, Her Story, and Key to the City II. Both Key to the City editions focused on raising awareness around drug and substance abuse, as well as mental health, issues that are often overlooked in youth spaces.
But the program we’re most proud of is Her Story. It was a powerful initiative aimed at empowering young women through art. We worked with youth from several communities, Nketa, Mpopoma, Nkulumane, Pumula, Mzilikazi, and Khumalo, and together, we created a short film that tackled real-life social issues faced by young women.
What made this project so special is the ripple effect it created: the film didn’t just raise awareness, it inspired action. Several participants went on to pursue careers in theatre and film, using their voices and creativity to drive change.
How do young people participate in decision-making and planning at Yellow World?
Youth are at the centre of everything we do. We work closely with Community Champions, young people from within the community who help us shape programs that are relevant and impactful. Before launching any activity, we conduct surveys and consultations to hear directly from the youth about the issues they face and the kind of support they need.
We also have a dedicated Youth Committee, especially active in our Public Space Transformation initiatives. These young leaders are involved in every stage, from designing the space to planning and implementing activities that keep it safe, inclusive, and vibrant. Their involvement ensures that our work is always grounded in real, lived experiences.
How does Yellow World approach mental health and wellness in youth spaces?
We believe that creative expression is a powerful tool for healing and awareness. That’s why we partnered with We Cre8te Afrika to support their monthly Words Matter poetry shows at Alliance Française de Bulawayo. These events are more than just performances, they’re platforms where young people tackle heavy but critical topics like gender-based violence and mental health through spoken word.
The poetry acts spark real, raw conversations. They challenge stigma, raise awareness, and encourage audiences to engage with solutions. It’s a creative and culturally rooted way of opening up safe spaces for dialogue and emotional expression, especially for youth who may not feel seen or heard in more formal settings.
How does Yellow World balance its different focus areas, and how do you measure success?
We’ve found a rhythm that works by dividing our activities into four terms across the year, allowing us to give equal attention to each of our three thematic areas, Advocacy, Entrepreneurship, and Public Space Transformation. This structured approach ensures we’re not stretching ourselves too thin and that each area gets the focus and energy it deserves.
To measure our impact, we have a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer on our team. Through surveys and change story documentaries, we track the real-life effects of our work. For us, success isn’t just about numbers, it’s about transformation. The more lives we change, the better.
Have you partnered with other organizations to help scale your mission?
Absolutely. Collaboration is key to our growth. We’ve partnered with several impactful organizations including House of Arts Association, Young Artists Development School, and Home of Arts Entertainment, among others.
One of our most exciting outcomes has been through our partnership with Home of Arts Entertainment, which led to us securing a dedicated youth space in Pumula South. We believe this space will play a vital role in transforming the lives of young people in the community, offering them room to grow, create, and connect.
These partnerships have been instrumental in helping us scale our mission, and we’re actively looking to build more collaborations in the near future.
Where do you see Yellow World in the next 5 years?
In five years, we envision Yellow World as the heartbeat of youth innovation in Bulawayo, a vibrant, fully operational youth space where young people can come together to collaborate, host festivals, and lead transformative activities. We aim to expand our partnership network, engage city-level stakeholders, and design impactful programs that uplift the lives of young people across the city.
We’re already laying the groundwork for that future. Currently, we’re developing structures for our Youth Space and collaborating with fellow youth-led organisations on an important initiative: the creation of a new Bulawayo Youth Policy. The existing policy hasn’t been updated since 1996, and we believe it’s time for a change that truly reflects the needs and voices of today’s youth. A draft has been submitted to the Bulawayo City Council and is now awaiting review.
How can young people across Zimbabwe get involved with Yellow World?
Young people from across Zimbabwe can become actors of change by raising awareness on important issues through social media, sharing their stories, tagging Yellow World, and sparking conversations that matter. For those interested in a more hands-on role, becoming a volunteer or member is simple. Membership forms are available on our website at yellowworld.org.zw, or they can reach out directly via WhatsApp at 071 338 4914, where our team will assist with the registration process. We welcome anyone passionate about making a difference to join us in this movement.
What advice would you give to a young person who feels stuck or uncertain about their future?
To every young person reading this: you will make it. It might not happen overnight, but with consistent hard work and by surrounding yourself with like-minded, supportive people in your field of interest, nothing can stop you. Keep pushing forward, you are capable of achieving your dreams.
Yellow World Introduces Pumula’s Got Talent in June
Yellow World is also launching Pumula’s Got Talent, a community-driven talent show set for June 28 in Bulawayo. Aimed at uplifting grassroots creatives, the event will spotlight indigenous performers while coinciding with Men’s Health Month, and provide services like mentorship and networking. According to founder Mentor Dlamini, this initiative “is a crucial step towards empowering our youth and providing them with the necessary support to succeed in the creative industry,” as it connects young talent with community leaders, industry professionals, and government partners
More Than a Movement: Yellow World Is Building the Future, One Youth at a Time
Yellow World’s story is a powerful reminder that true empowerment starts when young people are given the space and the power to lead. From battling social issues like unemployment and substance abuse to creating safe spaces for artistic expression and dialogue, their impact is both deep and far-reaching. As they continue to grow and strengthen partnerships, their vision for a vibrant youth-driven future in Bulawayo becomes ever more tangible. For Zimbabwe’s youth, Yellow World isn’t just an organisation, it’s a movement, a home, and a promise of a brighter tomorrow.
