Africa has a long tradition of storytelling, and radio provides an effective medium to get those stories to reach key audiences. In Zimbabwe, entrepreneur Ava Tutsi is harnessing the power of radio drama to produce great content that addresses key issues and challenges in today’s society. Her company, Ava Tutsi Productions, is winning many young fans who tune in to hear the inspirational stories it creates.
LoA was keen to learn more about this creative media company that is producing compelling radio drama content with a message.
What does your company do?
At Ava Tutsi Productions, we produce content that highlights important issues that resonate with young Africans mostly in the form of radio dramas.
“The radio drama is a creative way to showcase and tell true stories that will hopefully leave the listener inspired.”
What inspired you to start your company?
I was looking for a way to tell stories that affect young Africans, that was both realistic and cost effective. That is when the idea of creating radio dramas came about. The radio drama is a creative way to showcase and tell true stories that will hopefully leave the listener inspired.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
What makes Ava Tutsi productions different is that stories created are inspired by true events. There is so much power in telling and owning the events that happened to us or through us.
Tell us a little about your team
Producing great content is a team effort. The team consists of Ava Tutsi, who is the writer and producer. There is a sound engineer who is contracted for a series and an amazing team of volunteer voice over artists.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My background is in accounting and I started writing content in my free time until friends urged me to produce the shows I had scripted and that is how it began. I started off by approaching companies for funding since it is costly to produce radio dramas but after no luck in that direction, I decided to self-fund. If I believed in my vision then I had to put my money where my heart was. I did that and so far, there has been a great response to the current show that has been produced titled ‘Him & I’.
“The goal is to keep producing amazing content over a wide spectrum of topics all grounded on true experiences of those around me.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
The goal is to keep producing amazing content over a wide spectrum of topics all grounded on true experiences of those around me.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The power to create as I see fit and to get feedback from listeners that the content uplifts them.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Don't give up on your dreams though the journey is long and hard.
Contact or follow Ava Tutsi Productions
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL avatutsi@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
Storytelling is a powerful medium, one that can reach out to people and inspire them in their own lives through shared experiences and knowledge. Ava Tutsi understands how individual and very personal stories can resonate with people when told through the medium of radio. It gives voice to those whose stories need to be shared, and the opportunity for listeners to empathize through their own personal experiences. Ava is building a powerful platform that is winning listeners and fans alike, and is demonstrating the impact that meaningful and thoughtfully produced content can create. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo of Lionesses of Africa