Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena
Zimpapers Arts, Entertainment Hub
AFTER a two-year hiatus, the city’s much-anticipated event — the Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA) managed to bounce back with a bang, as the organisers hosted a glamorous awards ceremony on Saturday, celebrating arts excellence and fashion.
After losing major sponsors, BAA had to strategically postpone last year’s event and managed to utilise the time to gather funds, allowing creatives to produce more appealing projects that would be considered to be featured at this year’s event.
Considering the financial hiccups, the organisers did a great comeback in 2025, as the night of the event was breathtaking, bringing a sense of hope for the revival and re-branding of the awards.
Like always, Bulawayo arts enthusiasts came in their numbers to cheer their favourite artistes, at the same time, using the night to showcase their beauty and fashion sense.
At the entrance, the spectators were welcomed by fashion police, led by businesswoman Mitchelle Tshuma, as well as United Kingdom-based model Oliver Keith who did an exceptional job in analysing and giving honest feed-back on the dress codes and attendees as well as the artistes’ fashion sense.
The hosts of the night were radio personality Benkosi “Bkay” Maphosa, Zee Gumede, with the event anchored by celebrated poetess Lady Tshawe. Their combination proved to be excellent as they managed to complement each other, keeping those in attendance focused on what was taking place on stage.
The awards were not going to be spectacular without recognising the great choreography and stage management skills that were portrayed by creatives who were led by arts doyen Simon “Mambazo” Phiri, as well as choreographer Mehluli “Gomez” Dube.
The energy in dance was in synch with multiple performers who took to the stage including Noluntu J who won the Outstanding Hip Hop Act, Mxolisi “Mr Bones” Ndlovu who scooped Outstanding Tshibilika Music, as well as Godolude who mesmerised fans with his stage presence alongside his Friendly Brothers band.
All the great displays on the stage and the music performed, was handled by DJ Sida, who made sure that performances were in synch and polished, according to the plan of curating the show.
At this year’s BAAs, several fallen legends were honoured through the renaming of major categories to celebrate their life-long contributions to the arts.
The renamed categories were the Pathisa Nyathi Outstanding Literary Work, Sihlangu Dlodlo (Qhube) Outstanding Theatre Production, Babongile Sikhonjwa Outstanding Radio DJ, Desire “Moyoxide” Outstanding Poet, as well as the Ishmael Muvingi (Litshe) Outstanding Dance Ensemble.
Those who managed to scoop awards at the night include Black Diva (Outstanding Newcomer), Bhila (Outstanding Alternative), Mjoks (Outstanding Radio DJ), Kotwane Hikwa (Outstanding Club DJ), amongst others.
For the Outstanding Ambassador (Worldwide), two creatives, Nitefreak and Everton Mlalazi were awarded with the accolade. Nitefreak was recognised for his worldwide tours that he has been doing for over two years.
While Mlalazi was also awarded for taking the Gospel of the Lord to all corners of the world, something he attained on his solo career and through his collaboration with Spirit of Praise.
Seasoned arts administrator Josh Nyapimbi was afforded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution in the growth of the local arts industry and donor-funded initiatives he crafted over the years that uplift creatives from marginalised communities.
The Herald Online platform managed to scoop Outstanding Online Media award, cementing their visibility and craft that supports artistes in the digital age.
Some of the Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub scribes including Langalakhe Mabena, Mthabisi Tshuma and Mbulelo Mpofu, were nominated for Outstanding Arts Journalist (All Media), a category which was won by ZBC TV’s Lisa Masuku-Kurira.
The major winner for the night was DJ Mzoe who won the People’s Choice Award, which was voted for by ballot at the awards.
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