Behind every big brand , there ’ s a public relations team crafting narrations , fighting fires , and sculpting images . An industry that comes with a lot of irony remains a sought-after space . The public relations , media and communications space in Africa is continuously growing its talent . More individuals and companies are realising the value of well-maintained publicity . Zimbabwe remains an emerging ground for public relations . Among the players , we have Kevin Mwenye Jr , who ’ s seizing the opportunity to showcase Zimbabwean brands on a global scale .
As part of Khaya Defero , Kevin shares insight on his journey into PR , working with some of Zimbabwe ’ s big names and his vision for the future .
GMI : Welcome to Groove Magazine International . It ’ s a pleasure to have you share your story with us . Please kindly share who Kevin Mwenye is , and your background .
KM : It is such an honour to be here telling my story . Kevin Mwenye is a public relations officer and media practitioner . My journey started in 2015 when I started working with various Zimbabwean brands such as the movement and MisRed as their PR . At this time , I had acquired my tertiary education in journalism and media studies , and I wrote for various publications such as Makamba online , The Zimbabwean , and I was editor in chief of iMisred . com . In 2016 , I moved to Russia to further my studies and got another degree in international relations and politics , but while I was there I continued working as a writer and in PR . I wrote for Enthuse Magazine , Checkoutafrica , SA Hip hop magazine , Music in Africa while working as a freelancer PR with PlaybyPlay with Kapcity in the United States , Dr Chaii , Sikandar Raza , Ryan Burl , Hilton Mudariki and have done some consultancy work with some Zimbabwean artists such as Gemma Griffiths and iShan . During this period from 2016-2020 , I also worked with Kosha Management on a magazine called taKOSHA as the editor in chief and also did some PR work for the Kure remix and Chido by Munashe Chirisa with MADE IN ZWE . Currently , I am working as a PR for Khaya Defero , which is a management , PR , and events agency . I am working with SHA SHA , Shingai Shoniwa , and other corporations alongside the agency ’ s parent company , Rogue and Associates .
GMI : You have an impressive media and entertainment experience ; when did you formally venture into public relations ?
KM : I formally started PR without even knowing it under the guidance of Misred , St . Emmo of the movement and Cecil Garapo of Twunhu apps . The year was 2015 and they mentored me into managing their brands as a PR while writing for their websites as a content creator . In 2019 , I then started working under my own firm , " Kevin Mwenye Media and PR ", but that lasted for two years , as God opened this door for me where I am learning and doing more PR work under Khaya Defero . So I have been doing PR for around 7 years now , and I started at the age of 19 .
GMI : Please kindly take us through the concept of your PR at Khaya Defero and what sets it apart from other agencies and experiences you have faced coming up ?
KM : To be honest , there is a lot of learning that comes from the transition from being a self-taught freelance under mentorship to being an actual PR under an agency . The whole idea of working as a team and working alongside one of the best in PR on the continent has brought about a different feel to my experience as a whole . It is a different set up because I was used to working as a PR for entertainers and sportsmen rather than influencers , but now there is more to it at Khaya Defero as I am now challenged to be versatile with my PR , working with corporates in and out of Zimbabwe in addition to the artists we work with . Because the agency is set up in a way that covers every sector , not just entertainment alone or co-operating alone but everything .
GMI : How did you identify the gap in public relations in Zimbabwe , notably in
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