Communication & Creative Arts

Where creativity meets profession. Explore our programs in Applied Arts, Printing & Graphic Arts, and Mass Communication.

Applied Arts

Established in the early 1990s as Adult Education, the department expanded in 1996 to include Cosmetology, Beauty Therapy and Hairdressing. We produce graduates with techno-preneurial skills in Clothing, Hairdressing and Beauty.

Vision, Mission & Values

Vision

To be a unique department in skills development and excellence in Clothing, Hair and Beauty techniques.

Mission

To produce a competent graduate with techno-preneurial skills in Clothing, Hairdressing and Beauty.

Core Values

Teamwork, Patriotism, Creativity, Integrity/Unhu/Ubuntu, Entrepreneurship, Professionalism.

Courses Offered

Industrial Clothing Design & Construction

Entry: 5 O's inc English.
Career: Entrepreneur, Designer, Pattern Maker, Manager.

Beauty Therapy

Entry: 5 O's inc English.
Career: Massage Therapist, Make-up Artist, Nail Technician, Eyelash Technician, Beauty Consultant, Salon Manager, Aesthetician.

Hairdressing

Entry: 5 O's inc English.
Career: Entrepreneur, Hairdresser, Barber, Braider, Wig Maker, Hairstylist.

Duration: NC (1 year), ND (3 years incl. 1 year OJET), HND (1 year + 6 months OJET). Full‑time, part‑time, block release.

Research & Income Generation
  • Production of PPEs for government and private institutions during COVID-19.
  • Staff developing modules for various courses.
  • 3 staff members completed undergrad/postgrad qualifications.
Future Plans
  • Establish a viable Hair and Beauty Salon.
  • Produce Harare Polytechnic regalia (Heritage Based Education).
  • Set up a state‑of‑the‑art wet laundry facility.
Head of Department

Mrs Mahobele – MSc Clothing and Textiles (MSU), Honours Applied Art and Design (NUST). Over 20 years experience in clothing and apparel. Led production of PPEs during COVID-19. Contact: 0715427631, suemahobele@gmail.com

Staff Establishment

22 energetic and qualified members.

Printing & Graphic Arts

A rich history dating back to 1956, when evening classes were sponsored by the printing industry. The department moved to its current premises in 1963 and has since produced influential designers and printing architects. It is a major contributor to heritage‑based Education 5.0.

Awards & Recognition
  • TIFAZ 2013 Carnival of Arts Festival – 1st Prize for Corporate.
  • TIFAZ 2015 – Prizes in Visual Arts, Photography, Graphic Design, 3D Design, Textile Dyeing, Printmaking, Drawing & Painting; Overall Best Prize winner.
  • RIO‑SET Bulawayo 2015 – 2nd Overall Best Prize.
Courses Offered

National Certificate

  • Applied Art and Design
  • Graphic Design and Print Origination
  • Machine Printing
  • Packaging Machine Printing
  • Print Finishing and Converting
  • Photography

National Diploma

  • Fine Art
  • Design for Print
  • Print Production Technology
  • Print Finishing Technology
  • Photography
  • Print Origination Technology
Brief History

Training began with correspondence courses, then evening classes (1956) leading to City & Guilds. A full‑time instructor was appointed in 1958. In 1963 the department moved to the present site. The Apprenticeship Act (1959) and later the Skilled Manpower Development Act (1969) shaped full‑time courses. Advanced Craft introduced in 1971. The sixth full‑time one‑year course began in 1974 under Mr. Arthur J. Milner. Notable past Heads: Mr. Cousins, Mr. Backbie, Mr. Samson Moyo (Tyson) (1991‑2002), Mr. Kennedy Mupemba (2002‑2004), Mr. Felix Maponga (2009), and current Head Mr. Ronald Chivhuro.

Head of Department

Mr. Ronald Chivhuro – Started career in 2003 at Zimbabwe Sunflags, then CPL Private Limited. Trainee apprenticeship (1996‑2000) awarded Class 1 Artisan in Packaging Machine Printing. Joined Harare Polytechnic as lecturer in 2005. Diploma in Printing (Harare Poly, 2003), International Advanced Diploma in Graphic Arts (Germany, 2017). Under his leadership, the department won numerous awards.

Role in Industry

The department designs and produces institutional newsletters, staff business cards, graduation booklets, banners, package designs, exhibition displays. Graduates are equipped for employment in printing, designing, photography, painting, sculpturing, branding, advertising, and converting.

Mass Communication

The oldest journalism training institution in Zimbabwe, founded as ZIMCO after independence (1980) through UNESCO and Government efforts. Transferred to Harare Polytechnic in 1983, it became the Division of Mass Communication, later the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. It has produced the highest number of media executives in the country.

Vision, Mission & Values

Vision

To be the centre of choice for quality journalism training in Zimbabwe.

Mission

To contribute to quality human resource development by producing journalists with theoretical and hands‑on knowledge.

Core Values

Research, Professionalism, Fairness, Pan African solidarity, Teamwork, Client‑focused.

Courses

National Certificate in Mass Communication (1 year) and National Diploma in Journalism (4 years including attachment). A Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism has been approved but not yet implemented.

Model of Training
  • Practical‑based with radio and TV studios, internet lab.
  • Guest lectures from UN, UNESCO, WHO, politicians, media practitioners.
  • Rural Reporting workshop each year.
  • Student newspaper: The Sharpener (1990‑2005), then The Compass Chronicle.
  • Campus radio licence granted in 2021.
Career Options
  • Journalist
  • News Reader / Presenter
  • Filmmaker
  • Photographer / Videographer
  • Researcher
  • Information Officer
  • Communication Officer
  • Head of Department

    Terence Antonio – MSc Media and Society (MSU), BSc Media and Society Studies, National Diploma in Print Journalism. Teaches Print and Broadcast Journalism. Research interests: health journalism, media technology, media audiences. Member of UNESCO IFAP Zimbabwe National Committee. Part of ZEC Media Monitoring Unit (2018). National adjudicator for PEPFAR HIV and AIDS Reporting awards. Contact: 0773395336 / 0715427645, tantonio@hrepoly.ac.zw

    Enrolment

    Increasing number of female students in recent years.