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The group, which was founded by Bulawayo socialite and comedian Babongile Sikhonjwa and the late DJ Gunz in 2004, has been organising shows and parties in the city since their inception. The pair teamed up and formed the Ballers League that became trendsetters in the city.
Places like Kudu Bar, BAC and Windermere were very popular with the city’s youth during the time Ballers League managed the joints.
Saturday Leisure this week spoke to the head of Ballers League, Sikhonjwa, who said it felt good to be at the top of entertainment in the city.
He said the group had brought diversified entertainment to the City of Kings.
“We have been at the top of the game in terms of bringing diversified entertainment for people in Bulawayo. We are an indigenous 100 percent Bulawayo group that provides entertainment for Bulawayo,” said Sikhonjwa.
He said they threw house parties for local celebrities at landmark occasions of their lives as part of promoting them.
“I have thrown a party for Jeys Marabini when he turned 40. We had planned a farewell party for our Miss Zimbabwe, Bulawayo-born Bongani Dlamini before she left. We shall do a welcome home party for her when she comes from the Miss World Finals. This is our way to uplift our celebrities. Also we had a welcome home party for Big Brother StarGame evictee Maneta,” said Sikhonjwa.
He said during the party there would be performances from him and a new group called Amasyndicate.
“I am going to perform as you know I am a musician and we shall give a platform to a group called Amasyndicate and any other people who want to come and celebrate with us. Our main goal is to have a platform for people to have fun while being entertained by local artistes,” said Sikhonjwa.
Before forming Ballers League, Sikhonjwa was the entertainment manager at Visions Night Club which is now called Club 40 Forty.
He said the name Ballers League was a counter to Ivy League that had a predominantly white following.
“Friday nights were not nights to go out on for us black people in 2004. The whites had a place where they could hang out and we wanted our own,” said Sikhonjwa.
He said at the party they would be handing out Ballers League membership cards.
Sikhonjwa said the membership cards would be for those who had been loyal and supportive to them.
“The membership cards number 50 and we shall give them out to those who have been loyal and supportive of our group. The cards will gain them free access to all Ballers League functions,” said Sikhonjwa.
He said in honour of the late DJ Gunz they would give his family a token of appreciation.
DJ Gunz died last month after a long illness and was buried at West Park Cemetery.
Ballers League was established in 2004 and the members went on to manage a number of entertainment spots in and around the city.
In 2009 Ballers League took over Kudu Bar situated at Hartsfield Rugby Field and made it the spot to be in the city. The New Year had a record crowd of over 1 000 people who had gathered at the joint.
When the joint closed down Ballers League “relocated” to Thabantshu Lodge about 20km from the city.
In 2010 they went back to Kudu Bar and mid-year they took over Visions which was known then as Bar Labala. Last year they took over Jock and Saddle and have been there ever since.
Online Reporter