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2016 came, we saw, did, cried and smiled. In a few days, it will be 2017. We take the lessons learnt into the new year, with the hope for a better and rewarding 2017.
Though we cried here and there in 2016, there are a lot of good things that we experienced as a city and arts constituency in the country.
Let me take this moment to recap on the year. I will first deal with all the negatives. Ita��s been a sad year for world wide arts. We lost David Bowie, Prince, Mandoza, Rejoice Simeti, Sifiso Ncwane and George Michael to name a few.
May their souls continue to rest in eternal peace. They blessed us with their craft, touched hearts the world over and are forever engraved in the arts Hall of Fame.
If there is one thing that got me in 2016, ita��s the complaining. For every event that happened, there were complaints either by the artistes themselves or the socialites in the city. Going to Facebook and Twitter was becoming a bore, you know!
It was like nothing was happening in the city. Like everything touched turned into junk. Sad how audiences continued to shun most local events. Though there is hope I still felt there was room to work hand in glove as a city and create local arts celebrities, really fill up venues. So next time there is an event near you. Please push it, do your part. There is good art in the city.
Now for the moments that took my breath away. Carl Joshua Ncube takes top spot for me. He decided to push the boundaries even further by going for a spot in the Guiness Book of World Records for most Comedy shows by an individual. His feat was further cemented by a tour of Asia. Well done Carl. Keep pushing. Talking Arts wishes you an even better 2017.
There is a female hip-hop artiste by the name AWA. I have never met her and I will be lying if I said I could sing along to any one of her songs. But she did push, in the process scoring a recording deal in Germany and a tour. If the world is paying attention to her. Who are we not to?
For the second year in a row. Local groupings Iyasa and Insingizi won awards abroad for their outstanding works. I just wish my country would celebrate such feats even more than the foreigners do. The year 2016 also introduced as a force to reckon with Madlela Skhobokhobo, whose song Bamnanka uSamamo has become a sensation in and out of
Zimbabwe, scoring him an award in South Africa.
We started a platform called the Bulawayo Jam sessions. I believe for our music to get to the people we need such platforms all around the city. I hope 2017 will make it bigger and better. Skyz Metro is on air. For a while many people did not think it would come through. But it has. And artistes and businesses alike should come together and use and a�?abusea�? this platform.
I would have loved to do a top 10 moments that shook us, but I have a word limit. So from me, here is wishing you a happy new year and blessed 2017.
Until next week, be safea��@NkueNkala .
derick.khumalo