25/10/2025
FROM PLUMTREE TO THE WORLD 🌍 🇿🇼 Sir Kadelwa Arts 🔥🔥🔥. Congratulations on this huge milestone 🙏🏿
https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/from-plumtree-dusty-streets-to-formula-1-pole-position-zimbabwean-artist-designs-official-us-grand-prix-poster/
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaXuxQY7oQhTjXhnIi3Q
WHILE Dutch racing sensation Max Verstappen claimed victory at the Circuit of the Americas last weekend, adding another win to his glittering Formula 1 career, a different kind of triumph was unfolding over 11 000 kilometres away in the dusty streets of Plumtree, Matabeleland South.
Kadelwa Joab Ndlovu, a self-taught animator, digital artist, and cultural visionary, found himself on a global podium of his own: his artwork was officially selected as the poster for the 2025 United States Grand Prix.
Kadelwa Ndlovu
Ndlovu, founder of the Kadelwa Arts and Animation Academy in Plumtree, received the prestigious commission directly from Formula 1 to design the key visual for the race held at the iconic Austin, Texas circuit.
This landmark achievement places Zimbabwean creativity firmly on the high-octane map of one of the world’s most glamorous sporting spectacles.
The announcement follows closely on the heels of another milestone for the artist. Just weeks earlier, Ndlovu impressed a panel of esteemed judges — including cultural strategist Mandipa Masuku (Lemongroove Brands), creative entrepreneur Keith Kuhudzani (Kay Media Africa), and entrepreneur Chiedza Danha (Unplugged Zim) — at the Old Mutual Value Creation Challenge (VCC) in Harare.
His innovative vision earned him the title of Creative Industries Runner-up for 2025, along with a prize of US$5 000 in seed funding.
Speaking to Saturday Chronicle, Ndlovu recalled the surreal moment Formula 1 reached out.
“I followed their account a long time ago and never imagined that Formula 1’s internal social media team would eventually contact me. I kept liking their pictures and videos. I’m just an F1 fan.”
The breakthrough came via Instagram Direct Message on 8 October. The design journey wasn’t immediate, however, with Ndlovu creating over ten potential designs before one met Formula 1’s exacting standards.
“They approved the one that was posted. They really stick to high quality,” he noted, highlighting the professionalism required for such a global platform. Seeing his final design shared across Formula 1’s vast global social media platforms was, in Ndlovu’s words, profoundly moving.
It was a validation not only of his personal talent but also of the creative potential emerging from unexpected places like Plumtree.
This international recognition goes beyond personal achievement; it fuels the core mission of the Kadelwa Arts and Animation Academy. Based in Dombodema village and operating from Plumtree, the academy is committed to youth empowerment.
My mission is to empower youth through visual storytelling, digital arts, and animation while preserving African culture and promoting social impact. With a strong focus on creative education, we provide training in animation, illustration, and digital design. Our work engages local communities, reduces youth involvement in drug abuse, and opens up new career pathways in creative industries,” he said.
Kadelwa Ndlovu sketching out the design
The US$5 000 VCC funding is earmarked for a vital next step: establishing a dedicated physical home for the academy in Plumtree. Ndlovu envisions it as a national hub for nurturing Zimbabwean animation talent. His ambitions are backed by proven success — his animated short film Lost in Space earned him second place in the “Rising Talent” category at the prestigious Cape Town International Animation Festival last year.
Beyond creating captivating visuals and training future creatives, Ndlovu is a vocal advocate for integrating art into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) education, transforming it into STEAM. He believes creativity is not separate from technical skill but essential to holistic innovation.
Via Chronicle Zimbabwe
