By Gcina Ntsaluba
From the bustling township of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to the academic halls of Rhodes University in Makhanda, Nqobani Mathew Dabengwa is juggling a master’s degree in pharmacy with his passion project, which is quietly making waves across the continent.
At just 25 years old, the Zimbabwean-born creative has founded Intetho Magazine through his umbrella project called Echoes of Uhuru, a magazine that’s breathing new life into Africa’s storytelling tradition.
Dabengwa’s journey reads like a modern African renaissance story. But his path wasn’t always clear. Growing up in a small township without a functional library, he discovered his voice at 12, scribbling poems and thought pieces that would never see publication.
“I think we always grow with this idea that for you to be able to publish something, it has to be good enough to be seen by media powerhouses,” Dabengwa reflects. “The idea of the magazine only made sense to me in 2023, to sort of pull everything together.”
The golden thread
What ties together a pharmacy student, a creative writer, and a magazine publisher? For Dabengwa, it’s what he calls “the golden thread” – healing people’s spaces and filling voids in communities.
“Whether it’s through medication or through words and poetry, I’m always healing people, not directly, but under the surface, the things that they’re battling with,” he explains.
This philosophy drives his academic research into pharmacy students’ mental health experiences and his magazine’s mission to advocate for marginalised communities.
Echoes of Uhuru launched its first issue in 2024, debuting at prestigious venues including Amazwi Literature Museum, Sabona Arts and Crafts, and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. The magazine features voices from across the continent – from fashion designers in New York to creatives in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
More than a magazine
Echoes of Uhuru represents what Dabengwa calls a “shifting mosaic” – adapting and responding to community needs in real time. The brand incorporates workshops, panels, and community events, with plans for street interviews during this year’s Makhanda National Arts Festival.
“We’re not really a profit-based publication,” Dabengwa emphasises. “We’re impact driven, trying to stay at the heart of what the magazine is about – advocating for marginalised communities and minority spaces.”
This mission comes with challenges. Like many independent creatives, Dabengwa faces the persistent struggle of funding. The first issue was entirely self-funded, requiring him to work while grinding to put everything together, knowing the investment wouldn’t return financially.
The weight of authentic storytelling
Perhaps the heaviest responsibility Dabengwa carries is the authentic representation of others’ stories. “There’s such a heavy responsibility to be given that platform to tell another person’s story because you have to tell it well and authentically,” he said. His commitment to quality explains why the magazine publishes annually rather than rushing content to maintain social media relevance.
The approach is paying off. Dabengwa receives messages from readers who’ve found community through the magazine, attended events that connected them with like-minded creatives, or felt seen in the publication’s pages.
Looking forward
Despite his temporary Makhanda base, Dabengwa envisions the magazine launch becoming an annual tradition in what he calls “the creative city of Makhanda.” The virtual nature of his team means geographic boundaries won’t limit the publication’s growth.
“I would love every year to come back and have the launch here,” he says. “It could be something that people end up looking forward to – at some point in the year, there’s going to be the magazine launch.”
As for the future, Dabengwa remains continent-focused. “I wouldn’t give a country. I don’t want to have favourites. I love the whole continent, but probably somewhere in Africa, for sure.”
In an era where digital media dominates and print publications struggle, Dabengwa proves that authentic storytelling, community building, and cultural preservation can create something larger than the sum of its parts. He’s not just publishing a magazine through Echoes of Uhuru; he’s healing spaces, one story at a time.
