Ruvimbo Kadyevu is a Zimbabwean, award-winning entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and innovator with a deep passion for the arts. She is dedicated to empowering aspiring African artists and her story serves as a powerful reminder of resilience, collaboration, and empowerment.
Since 2019, Ruvimbo has been the visionary founder behind EthelartConnect, an African organization focused on managing, coaching, and marketing African artistic talent. Through her exceptional consulting and coaching skills, she has established herself as a key player in the art industry.
EthelartConnect is currently operational in Zimbabwe and South Africa, and is renowned for promoting African contemporary art, including portraits, paintings, and sculptures. The organization also offers online and in-house art lessons, delivery services, and sells art materials.
Evolution of the African Art Industry
The African art industry has undergone rapid transformations driven by several factors, including increased investments, a growing base of committed art collectors who prioritize keeping African art within the continent, and global art fairs that provide African artists with wider platforms to showcase their work.
The rise of digital platforms and technologies that allow artists to reach broader audiences has further fueled the growth and profitability of the industry.
Through EthelartConnect, Ruvimbo has demonstrated her expertise by providing local and regional artists with a platform to showcase their diverse talents.
Her leadership and drive are deeply rooted in her personal experiences and strong educational background. Fueled by a passion to help others, Ruvimbo pursued a degree in Psychology to combine her desire to support people with her love for the arts.
“I decided to study psychology after a traumatic experience during my gap year after A-Levels,” she recalls. “I was assaulted, which was a deeply painful time for me. However, I stayed focused on my goal of entering university. I wanted to help others, but I also knew I wanted to pursue art.”
Though she now enjoys success, Ruvimbo’s journey has been marked by adversity, perseverance, and personal growth.
Early Life and Struggles
From a young age, Ruvimbo faced significant challenges. Born prematurely at eight months with a lung condition called chronic bronchiectasis, she struggled with frequent hospitalizations. This condition led to periods of low self-esteem and school absences. Eventually, home-schooling became her only viable option, but she still managed to pass her studies against all odds.
Raised by a single mother who did not view art as a viable career, Ruvimbo faced resistance when pursuing her artistic passion. Her mother, who encouraged her to focus on more “stable” career choices given Ruvimbo’s academic talent, did not support her desire to build a career in the arts.
“I wanted to pursue a career in the arts, and I was talented, but my mother insisted I focus on something ‘stable’. She encouraged me to attend university first and pursue art in my spare time,” Ruvimbo explains.
Despite these obstacles, Ruvimbo enrolled in a Psychology program and continued to research the African art industry. Her research revealed a significant gap: many talented, marginalized young artists in Africa lacked opportunities and support. This insight led to the creation of EthelartConnect at the age of 22.
A Breakthrough in Art Promotion
Ruvimbo’s breakthrough came in 2019 when Alliance Française de Harare, a Franco-Zimbabwean non-profit promoting cultural diversity, partnered with her. The organization provided free space for her first exhibition, marking a pivotal milestone for EthelartConnect.
“Alliance Française de Harare was the first organization to believe in my vision and offered me the opportunity to hold my first exhibition. This partnership was crucial in the early days of EthelartConnect,” she says.
To further enhance her leadership and entrepreneurial skills, Ruvimbo joined the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), where she won a competition out of 400,000 participants from 52 African countries. Today, she is a certified recipient of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Award and a trailblazing business leader.
The seed capital from the TEF prize helped fund her ongoing ventures at EthelartConnect.
Overcoming Personal and Business Hurdles
Reflecting on her personal and professional challenges, Ruvimbo describes them as invaluable learning experiences. One of her most difficult challenges has been managing a chronic lung condition that has caused multiple hospitalizations, sometimes causing her to miss out on career opportunities.
“At one point after establishing EthelartConnect, my lung collapsed. I was resuscitated, but I lost both my memory and my job due to long periods of hospitalization,” she recalls. “Although my health setbacks affected my business, my determination to provide opportunities for young artists kept me focused on recovery.”
In addition to health struggles, Ruvimbo has faced financial challenges in growing her business. However, she has successfully formed partnerships in Italy and the UK to scale EthelartConnect internationally. Today, the organization operates in South Africa and coaches 30-50 artists, helping them refine their skills to meet international standards.
Expanding Horizons: Other Ventures
Ruvimbo has also made it her mission to support others facing similar challenges. In partnership with her friend Anesu Murawu, she founded the Breathe Hope Foundation, a non-governmental organization that provides moral and emotional support for people living with lung conditions like hers.
Additionally, she works as a full-time programs officer for the Second Chance Foundation Zimbabwe, where she continues to demonstrate her ability to juggle multiple responsibilities while supporting others.
Despite the challenges of living with a chronic condition, Ruvimbo has consistently demonstrated remarkable leadership and entrepreneurial abilities. She firmly believes that an individual’s background or struggles do not define their future potential.
Through EthelartConnect, she has successfully created a platform for underprivileged artists, fostering sustainable opportunities for them. Her vision is to transform the art industry, ensuring that art is seen as a legitimate and sustainable career for future generations.