Online Reporter
Zimpapers Arts & Entertainment Hub
THE City of Bulawayo delivered yet another unforgettable Bulawayo Arts Festival (Baf) in a week-long cultural celebration that once again reaffirmed the city’s rightful place as Zimbabwe’s creative heartbeat.
From the moment the festivities kicked off with Baf Extra on 30 May, the city was buzzing with colour, rhythm and energy, culminating in a vibrant celebration that brought together artistes, learners, performers and proud citizens under one cultural umbrella.
For an entire week, Bulawayo transformed into a living canvas where music, dance, poetry and storytelling echoed through the streets, halls and hearts of all who participated.
Monday’s Bulawayo Day, commemorating 131 years since the city was declared a town, set the tone with a spirited march through the city streets.
The procession, which paused briefly at the statue of the late Vice-President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, concluded at the Large City Hall, where the main celebrations took place. The event drew people from all walks of life, creatives, businesspeople, schoolchildren and culture enthusiasts, many of whom proudly wore traditional attire, from ibhetshu and umqhele to the vibrant presence of Amatshitshi, young maidens symbolising continuity and heritage.
Groups like Highlanders FC supporters, Father K’s Vintage Moment crew and various cultural troupes made the day unforgettable.
In his welcome remarks, Bulawayo City Council Housing and Community Services director Dictor Khumalo beautifully summed up the spirit of Baf: “This arts and culture festival is a testament to the power of art to unite, inspire and uplift us all… Royalty lives in our language, culture and in the way we uplift each other.”
The celebrations rolled on, each day presenting a new chapter in Bulawayo’s cultural diary.
Tuesday’s Bulawayo province Culture Month Launch at Lobengula Hall was a showcase of colour, tradition, and youthful energy. The standout performance by Rangemore Primary School, reigning Jikinya competition champions, lit up the stage and proved that Bulawayo’s future in the arts is bright.
The imbube genre, one of the oldest vocal traditions in Zimbabwe and southern Africa, continues to cement its place in contemporary music circles proving its timeless appeal.
This was clearly evident during the Imbube Concert held on Tuesday night, one of the main highlights of the festival.
The concert featured stellar performances from various imbube groups, Black Umfolosi, Ijongosi, The Great Star and Indosakusa, who delivered unforgettable sets.
Their performances were not only a celebration of tradition but also a bold statement that imbube remains relevant and resonant in today’s evolving music landscape.
On Wednesday, the poetic soul of the city took centre stage at the Small City Hall with the Poetry in Motion event, where students from schools such as Eveline Girls High, Montrose, St Columba’s and Mpopoma High recited Ndebele poems with themes of identity, culture and justice. Members from the Centre for Talent Development (CTD), led by language coach and poet Philani Nyoni, brought literature to life by performing pieces from the set book Ugqozi Lwezimbongi.
“It is easier to watch a performance than read a book. We’re excited to help learners see poetry as a living, breathing art form,” said Nyoni.
Debra Mpofu, a Ndebele literature teacher at Mpopoma High School, described the event as a transformative experience for students.
“The event was truly a blessing for our learners. They received an in-depth analysis of poems featured in their syllabus, which enhanced their understanding and appreciation of literature.
Beyond the academic value, the platform allowed them to showcase their talents, reciting poems with confidence and using rich, expressive language to convey powerful messages,” she said.
Later that day, Stanley Square played host to a theatrical performance of the Indandanda music and theatre production by dance trio Asante-Mo, offering a dramatic exploration of traditional art forms.
Thursday was all about women as the Imbokodo Concert took over the Large City Hall. A powerful all-female line-up, featuring Matojeni Melo Maniacs, Luchi Shiki, Novuyo Seagirl, Wecreate, Albinsm Konnect Music Band, Lemoniq and more, brought energy, empowerment and elegance to the stage, with the ever-charismatic TKP as host.
The show was a reminder of just how vibrant, rich and alive Bulawayo’s arts scene truly is. At the centre of the night’s magic was Matojeni Melo Maniacs, a dynamic sextet founded by Austria-based Zimbabwean artiste Blessings “Nqo” Nkomo. As soon as they stepped on stage, the atmosphere shifted, the crowd surged forward, phones in the air, eager to get closer to the action.
The cheers were loud, the energy electric and the applause relentless. Sharing the spotlight was the Albinism Konnect Music band, who also captured hearts with a soulful and empowering performance.
On Friday, it was the gents’ turn during Amakhosi Night, where Msiz’kay, Asaph Afrika, Guluva 7, and Lamas Ellz were billed to perform.
The final day, Saturday, wrapped up with a vibrant Youth Concert followed by a feel-good Rhumba/Tshibilika Concert, bringing the city together one last time to dance, celebrate and reflect on an unforgettable week.
Throughout the week, various workshops were held to educate creatives, while a series of theatre productions were staged to further enrich the festival experience.
This year’s festival introduced Baf Extra, a pre-festival build-up that included a Comedy and Poetry Night (30 May), a Family Fun Fair and Kasi to Kasi Talent Search finals (31 May), and a soul-stirring Gospel Concert (1 June). These events set the stage for the main festival and showed that Bulawayo is committed to growing the creative ecosystem from the grassroots up.
Beyond the performances, Baf served as a mirror to the soul of Bulawayo, its resilience, pride, and cultural richness. It created a space where tradition met innovation, where elders and youths shared the stage, and where art served as a bridge across generations.
The City of Bulawayo, in partnership with stakeholders, has demonstrated once again that culture is not a luxury but a necessity. It is how we tell our stories, build community, and pass on legacies.
As the curtain falls on this year’s Baf, one thing is clear: Bulawayo does not just host festivals, it lives them.
