adminNkululeko Nkala
Just a few days ago South Africa was the talk of the region with the SAMAs 23. Babes and Mampintsha made the headlines. We even got interviews along those lines for Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA).
How we would stop the Babes/Mampintsha situation in Bulawayo.
Some called it a Nigel moment after the media mogul who stuck it to Nama beginning of the year. Why do Awards court controversy I wonder? I will try get into that.
On Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending another new baby in the awards sphere, 100 Great Zimbabweans which was held in Harare.
I was there as a nominee , nominated alongside legendary Cont Mhlanga , Pathisa Nyathi , Gilmore Moyo and Farai Mupfunya of Culture Fund who was the eventual winner among others. Great as it may be that I was nominated, I was especially there to learn.
You see, I would have loved to avoid any Mampintsha and Babes rant for BAA, but then again I have learnt how we artistes are passionate people. We cana��t help it, we put our all into whatever we do. When the time comes for recognition and things do not go our way, we rant. Ita��s in our nature.
Last weekend we released the nominees of the inaugural Bulawayo Arts Awards and along with it a few rules. I am happy we were trending in the country.
It was good to see all the attention whether negative or positive. The list got mixed feelings. Some thought it was brilliant, those nominated got up and running telling the world about it, those who did not make it, threw rants , questioned the criteria and certain nominations.
Those from out of the region questioned why the awards? Those with friends in the creative sector wanted their friends on the list. Some tried to dig as much dirt to discredit the awards. I even saw some artistes who have not produced anything in years choosing to forget that the considered works were from January 2016.
All I was waiting for was someone complaining as to why Majaivanaa��s song Isono Sami was not nominated.
You see the challenge (good thing) with believing in a dream and being passionate about it is the need to defend it.
Let me try explain this with a saying. a�?Dogs never bark at parked carsa�?, if people are not talking then maybe you are not doing enough. Maybe Bulawayo Arts Awards are onto something.
We will listen and take what will build the awards and make them better. In the meantime we are looking at other cars and trying/hoping to make an awards you will all be proud of.
When the nominees list died, they picked on our voting system. Why is it necessary? Besides crea, people get to know the brands around them. The public vote constitutes 25 percent of the vote. It may not be perfect or seem perfect because not everyone is good at soliciting for votes. But it is the feeling of the committee that the public has a say about the awards.
Leta��s not forget 75 percent of the vote is by professionals. If this does not work this year we will definitely scrap it and stick to the traditional peoplea��s choice.
Tickets for the awards are out. Come 30 June ita��s going down at Large City Hall. Keep the advice and comments coming, please support BAA. Until next week, be safea��
@nkuenkala
Online Reporter