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Nash TV, the prominent Zimbabwean digital entertainment platform, has been shut down by founder Tinashe Mutarisi.
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The closure was announced abruptly by Mutarisi on social media from the backseat of a car while en route to a funeral.
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The decision has left local artists in tears, with the stable’s leading musician, Nisha Ts, publicly sharing her pain and gratitude.
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Nash Holdings confirmed the immediate closure, stating that the entertainment arm was never part of the company’s long-term business strategy.
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Mutarisi stated that his focus is shifting entirely to entrepreneurship, business building, and mentoring the next generation of Zimbabwean entrepreneurs.
The immediate shutdown of Nash TV marks the sudden end of a significant chapter in Zimbabwe’s digital arts and entertainment landscape. The platform, which gained prominence during the Covid-19 lockdown through its “Nash Lockdown” sessions, served as a crucial launchpad for numerous artists, including Saintfloew, Nisha Ts, Raymer, and Ninety6, while positioning founder Tinashe Mutarisi as a key figure in the country’s creative economy. Mutarisi’s impromptu announcement cited that he had “done his part” in the entertainment space, emphasizing a need to transition fully into his core business interests and mentorship role.
The dramatic manner of the closure has ignited a firestorm of speculation across social media. Rumours circulating suggest the move may have been triggered by internal factors, including pressure from the board, fatigue from public backlash, or deep frustration over the perceived disloyalty of some artists who benefited from the platform. While the company’s formal statement insisted the move was a strategic pivot, social media remained divided between those who accused the bankrolled artists of ungratefulness and critics who maintained that NashTV was primarily a form of “brand propaganda” for Mutarisi’s businesses.
Nash Holdings confirmed the collapse of the channel in a cool, corporate statement, noting they were proud of having “contributed to the rise of talents” and that all artists had been informed and assisted in securing new management and studio arrangements. For an industry that relied heavily on the exposure and production value offered by Nash TV, the exit represents a major loss, forcing artists and promoters to immediately reassess their strategies in the wake of the loss of a major funding and distribution vehicle.
Timeline
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Recent Past: Shutdown rumours reportedly brewed following Tinashe Mutarisi’s recent interview on the Ollah7 podcast, which some sources suggested was preemptive “damage control.”
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December 10 (Morning): Tinashe Mutarisi announced the immediate closure of Nash TV via a video message while travelling to a funeral in Masvingo.
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December 10 (Shortly after): Nash Holdings released a formal statement confirming the immediate shutdown of all entertainment operations under the NashTV brand.
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December 10 (Ongoing): Social media erupts in debate and speculation regarding the actual reasons behind the sudden end of the venture.
Key Players
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Tinashe Mutarisi: Businessman and founder of Nash TV, announced the channel’s closure to focus on entrepreneurship.
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Nash Holdings: Mutarisi’s company, which confirmed the immediate cessation of NashTV operations.
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Nisha Ts: A leading artist whose career was significantly shaped by the stable, expressed profound sadness over the closure.
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Saintfloew, Raymer, Ninety6: Artists whose careers were launched or boosted by the Nash TV platform.
