What happens when you mix the precision of science with the soul of an artist? You get Muchafara Shumba, BongoHive’s newest Multimedia Designer.

Growing up, Muchafara saw himself heading toward a career in the sciences. But despite his love for the technical field, a passion for creating was always simmering beneath the surface. It took a single art class during his A levels to fuel a pivot that changed everything, leading him to pursue his true calling in arts and design. Today, that technical foundation serves a new purpose: solving complex problems through visual storytelling.

From Community Roots to the “Deep Work” Ritual Muchafara’s design journey is rooted in impactful community work. One of his proudest early milestones was helping organise the branding for the African Film Festival.

So, how does the magic happen now? Muchafara is a self-proclaimed “morning warrior”. His deep-work ritual starts early with exercise—think a 5k run or a set of push-ups—to get the blood pumping before settling into a peaceful, calm environment. For Muchafara, silence isn’t empty; it’s where his best inspiration lives. When he isn’t cooking up a masterpiece in Premiere Pro or Lightroom, you’ll find him recharging by binging a long-running series or exploring new genres of music.

While many designers chase the “perfect” colour palette, Muchafara chases functionality. His philosophy is simple:

“If I could send a DM to my past self, it would say: ‘Solve problems.’ Don’t just focus on aesthetics and beauty; focus on communication and understanding your audience.” 

This appreciation for utility extends to the physical world as well. When asked what object he thinks is designed perfectly, Muchafara points to the spring mattress—an everyday masterpiece of comfort and utility. This fascination has even sparked a future goal: designing furniture and translating digital sketches into physical, usable products.

Since joining the team a few months ago, Muchafara has hit the ground running. He is particularly excited to dive into the branding and materials for BongoHive’s upcoming 15th anniversary. It’s a massive milestone, and with Muchafara’s problem-solving lens, we can’t wait to see how he transforms the way our story is told.

Next time you visit our coworking space for an event or meeting, be sure to come dressed to impress! Muchafara is always ready to capture the moment, and you might just find yourself featured on our socials sooner than you think.