Online Reporter
Mzala Tom
Raisedon Baya is a celebrated playwright, festival manager and theatre director in the arts in Zimbabwe. The Bulawayo-based arts guru has been consistent in his great works over the years.
His plays have been performed internationally by Amakhosi Theatre (Amakhosi Cultural Centre), Rooftops Promotions, and Siyaya Arts. Raisedon Baya is a Sobukhazi and Mzilikazi high schools alumni.
His iconic works include Witnesses and Victims, Rags and Garbage, Madmen and Fools.
His collection of plays Tomorrow’s People was published in 2009. At some point this book was part of the syllabus for Advanced Level English in Zimbabwe.
Raisedon is the director of the Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo. He is also a founding trustee of the Bulawayo Arts Awards.
“It all started at school. By accident actually. I was too noisy and very playful in class so my literature teacher then, Tony Magagula, took us to drama club to help direct our energies. It worked. But also growing up in Makokoba Amakhosi Theatre was a big influence. “
We later formed our own arts group called Township Artists. We moved to Amakhosi when we started doing film. Amakhosi has a film programme called Happy Valley Film Workshop. That’s when we started film.”
Raisedon is also a columnist, former teacher and National Arts Council employee who has worked with ZBCtv as a producer and commissioning editor. He has dedicated his life for the development of arts and culture in Zimbabwe.
May his star shine brighter and brighter!
Colletta Dube