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Langalakhe Mabena
The 2020 Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (RoilBAA) were described as a success by the organisers despite the dreadful novel coronavirus with its curfew restrictions forcing the prestigious awards to end prematurely.
The highlight of the night, the red carpet, had many stressed in the last few days before the event as the search for outfits was stressful.
On the night of the event B-Metro showbiz can attest that it was an All-Star “Chuck Tylor” affair as a number of artistes were wearing these.
A few artistes who were lucky were sponsored by local businessman Leroy Waps and his associate Davison Feliate as they gave away four pairs of All Stars to different artistes to don at the awards’ red-carpet affair and on stage.
Artistes who benefited include Asambeni hitmaker Mzoe 7, comedian Ntando Van Moyo, Podcaster and filmmaker Nigel Ndlovu, and RoilBAA 2020 Best Male Artiste Msiz’Kay.
All the four pairs given to the artistes have a shop value of R3 500 combined (applies to the South African market).
Leroy Waps, who is also part of Events Africa, an artistes’ management company, revealed that the initiative was part of appreciating local artistes who put Bulawayo art on the world map.
“It’s a good thing to appreciate people while you can still tell them or give them a token of gratitude. I decided to give away the All Stars to these artistes because I know their craft and I respect it.
“Nigel Ndlovu is the one who gave birth to this initiative as firstly we wanted to give him alone, but we saw it not fair to give only one person while there are many who also needed appreciation. So, Davison came in and we gave to four artistes of our preference,” said Waps.
As the festive season is all about giving and sharing, Waps who runs an online shoes shop which supplies mainly in Zimbabwe and Botswana said plans to give away other products to those in need were underway.
“The Covid-19 pandemic hit hard a lot of people, and it is advised to those who can to lend a hand here and there. For the festive season, I am mapping ways of helping in different societies through shoe donating, no one knows, that can change someone’s life,” said Waps.
Online Reporter