2011 in retrospect: Bulawayo a hive of activity

It began in earnest with a number of South African artistes dominating the local showbiz industry.
In February, Miss Bulawayo, Nadia Gori and Lungile Mathe were crowned Miss Title and Miss Personality in the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe Finals held in Harare.
Despite the South African artistes dominating the entertainment circles in Bulawayo, local artistes played their part coming closer to their fans as they lined up a number of great shows in the city.

Among the great performers in the city this year was the late Tongai Moyo who performed in the city in May at JZ Ebunandini, where he wowed fans. Little did he and his fans know that this was to be his last show in the city as he died a few months later. Superstar Oliver Mtukudzi was not to be outdone as he put up his usual top of the class performances at the Amphitheatre and Large City Hall in the city.
Sungura maestro Alick Macheso was again among the great performers of the year.

Jabula Inn, popularly known as the home of entertainment in Esigodini, recorded lucrative business this year as it attracted many local and regional artistes. The joint, which seems to be a newly found haven, has become one of the highly frequented spots as it hosted a number of high profile, well-attended gigs.
Some of the artistes that performed at the joint are the late Moyo, comedian-cum-musician Freddy Manjalima aka Kapfupi, Macheso, Steve “Dongi” Makoni, the late Cephas Mashakada, South African artiste

Patricia Majalisa, Botswana songbird Slizer among others.
Dancehall pundit Winky D shared the stage with Jeys and Tuku at a show dubbed Bulawayo’s biggest show for 2011 at the Large City Hall a few months ago.
The annual Intwasa Festival was held in September and it brought a lot of activity for a week in the entertainment scene.

The city for the first time played host to the Jikinya dance competitions that saw schools from the country’s 10 provinces converging in Bulawayo at the Large City Hall.
The Unity Gala held early this month brought more life into the city as it saw some of the biggest and budding artistes drawn from all corners of the country uniting in song and dance. The show recorded probably the largest crowd for any show held in the city, estimated at more than 20 000.

A number of city pubs took the opportunity to refurbish their structures to cater for their clientele and market demand.
In April, Ivy League at Parkade Centre closed down paving way for Paparazzi, which had closed a few years back.
JZ Ebunandini was also renovated and opened up as Ayobar same as Visions now known as Bar La Bala.

Khami Bar changed ownership, was revamped and is now known as The Lounge.

Honoured

Twenty-three-year-old Bongani Dhlakama was crowned Miss Bulawayo at a colourful ceremony held at a local hotel this month. Dhlakama took over from Gori who was in Malaysia representing the country at the Miss Tourism International pageant.

In July, No-violet Bulawayo won the Caine Prize for African Writing, regarded as Africa’s leading literary award for her short story Hitting Budapest.

Bulawayo’s high -flying jazz maestro Jeys Marabini, was honoured with an acoustic guitar by the Harare community at the Winter Jazz Festival in July.

Umkhathi Theatre Works came second in the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance finals held in Harare.

Local songstress Prudence Mabhena popular for her role in the Oscar winning documentary Music by Prudence was in September appointed Unicef National Goodwill Ambassador.

Iyasa director Nkululeko Dube was named the Business Personality of the Year in the Megafest awards held in October.

One of Zimbabwe’s representatives in the DSTV reality show, Big Brother Amplified, Wendall Parson was crowned co-winner of the show together with Nigerian Karen Igho.

For the first time

South Africa’s revered gospel outfit Joyous Celebration performed in Bulawayo at Queens Sports Club on 7 August.

Internationally acclaimed gospel group Hillsong staged a great show at the Amphitheatre in September.

The Annual Lion Larger Beer Festival was held in the City of Kings with two top Jamaican artistes Cocoa Tea and Beres Hammond sharing the stage with local artistes at Hartsfield Sports Ground in October.

The annual shutdown pitting the country’s finest artistes Macheso, multi award winning Mtukudzi, new Utakataka frontman Peter Moyo and Bulawayo’s own Jeys was held at the Amphitheatre on 21 December. Mtukudzi performed in Bulawayo at least three times this year.

Deaths

The year 2011 was a dark year for the entertainment industry as it lost some of the biggest stars.

In July, acclaimed percussionist, mbira player and producer, Adam Chisvo passed away. Chisvo worked with several artistes such as mbira songstress Chiwoniso Maraire, Andy Brown, Victor Kunonga, and Ilanga.

In August, Umdumo Wesizwe frontman Mqoqi ‘Mxhe’ Nkomo passed away after a long illness. Mqoqi and his group had travelled extensively throughout the world showcasing the best of their acapella music otherwise known as imbube.

On 23 August the Sounds of the Muddy Face frontman Cephas Mashakada succumbed to kidney failure at Chitungwiza Hospital.

In September musician and football administrator Alick Mafu was also elevated to another world. The late Mafu was popular for the Asimp Choral music competitions, which saw the city’s primary schools competing in song.

On 13 October, one of the country’s veteran musicians Moyo breathed his last at St Annes Hospital in Harare. Dhewa as he was affectionately known succumbed to Non-Hodgkin’s cancer, an ailment he had bravely battled against for years.

On Tuesday this week musician, promoter and businessman Tendai Mupfurutsa passed on in Harare after a long illness. Mupfurutsa, popularly known as Prince Tendai, and well known for his hits such as Character, Chipo Babe and Zimbolicious would be buried today at his rural home Magunje.

Embarrassing and Disappointing

The most embarrassing moment in the history of beauty pageants was the de-throning of Miss Personality Lungile Mathe on allegations of stealing a wrist watch from a Bulawayo man based in the United States at a city hotel.

South African poet Ntsiki Mazwai who was scheduled to perform at the Intwasa Festival KoBulawayo was deported after organisers failed to secure a permit for her.

Soul Brothers failed to perform at the Zapu celebration at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo after organisers of the event failed to secure permits for South African group.

Chiwoniso Maraire and her former husband Andy Brown could not perform at Ayobar after a heavy downpour. Organisers had no alternative plan to avert the problem.

Urban grooves artiste Stunner was booed off stage by fans at a gig which featured South African kwaito artiste Professor of the Imot’ Etshonsh’mali fame earlier this year. After the show, Stunner, who made headlines lately for a sex tape featuring him and a Harare woman, said he would rather perform in the cold lands of England than in Bulawayo.

After so much joy that this year’s edition of the National Art Merit Awards would be held in the City of Kings, the happiness was short-lived as it was moved back to its traditional home Harare. Bulawayo failed to raise funds to fund the hosting of the country’s premier arts awards.

Indeed 2011 was a great year, looking forward to a greater 2012!
Happy New Year!