Media Dreams in Harare: Nikromat's Transformation Story
Creativity unleashed: How barbers built a successful media company from scratch
It all started in a small barber shop in Epworth, a peri-urban community in Harare, Zimbabwe. Four young guys, Robert Mhuka (30), Cuthbert Mafuta (28), Prince Jirira (25) and Tinashe Gumboreshumba (24), earned some money by cutting hair and shaving beards. They were happy enough with their business, but wanted to channel their creativity into something else. So, in 2018, they used their hard-earned money to purchase their first camera, laying the foundation for Nikromat. What they lacked in formal skills in photography and videography, they had in passion and drive. By watching Youtube videos and “making many mistakes” as Robert Mhuka puts it, they learned how to operate a camera, set up equipment, edit images, and grow their business.
From shutdown to spotlight
Their client base grew gradually. To stay up-to-date and competitive, they kept investing their profit in the latest technology without putting money aside from themselves. In 2021 they relocated from Epworth to Harare's Central Business District (CBD). Unfortunately, like many others, they were forced to shut down their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic ended, they had to reboot their business. They had the know-how and experience but needed some support to foster their journey. They connected with House of Arts Association who invited them to join their mental health programme. This inspired Nikromat to make a movie on mental health. With an advocacy micro grant provided by House of Arts Association, they developed the movie Uncalculated Mistakes that has now been nominated for the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) award show.
How a micro grant transformed challenges into opportunities
Nikromat has successfully built up their business since the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year was faced with yet another challenge. Their office in the CBD was closing down, and they did not have the needed funds to find a new place. Luckily, House of Arts Association had just opened a micro grant call on their entrepreneurship programme. Nikromat applied for support to secure a new office space. Within a week they received the funds and managed to get another office in the CBD. Receiving the grant proved to be a pivotal moment for Nikromat, as the new space has made their services more accessible, and their clien t base has increased significantly.
The move has led to measurable outcomes: their revenue increased by 40% in just two months. The micro grant did not just help Nikromat stay afloat—it opened doors for future growth. It allowed Nikromat to focus on long-term investments in technology and considering hiring new staff rather than just survival. Without the micro grant, Robert Mhuka fears that they would have had to close their operations for a while, halting their business growth.
Dreaming big
Nikromat is not just about small wins; Nikromat has big dreams. In the next five years, they hope to expand into Southern Africa and build a massive media organisation that will fund and produce African stories. They are inspired by role models like Strive Masiyiwa (the owner of Econet, Zimbabwe’s largest telecom operator), known for his ethics and principles, and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, who proved that one does not need formal schooling to succeed in the creative industry.
They are also role models themselves for the youth in Epworth, Harare. As young successful entrepreneurs they set an example for others in the community. Their advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: set realistic goals, stay disciplined, and always surround yourself with people who share your values.