Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
The launch of KoKoba Town, a creative hub in Makokoba township, now hangs in the balance following the death of media personality Babongile Sikhonjwa on Sunday.
Sikhonjwa, celebrated for his vibrant presence in Zimbabwean media and the arts, had envisioned the project as a space to nurture local talent and celebrate Makokoba’s cultural heritage. The hub, developed in collaboration with acclaimed muralist Leeroy “Sphinx Bow” Brittain and Skyz Metro FM chief executive officer Qhubani Moyo, was scheduled to open this coming weekend.
Brittain, a close friend and collaborator of Sikhonjwa, described the loss as devastating.
“It’s hectic. We were preparing for the launch this weekend to honour him, but now everything feels uncertain. This was his dream for Makokoba,” Brittain told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub.
KoKoba Town was designed to channel the spirit of artistic innovation, taking inspiration from the 2002 album of the same name by the iconic Zimbabwean group Siyaya. The project aimed to provide a platform for creatives, echoing Sikhonjwa’s lifelong mission of supporting local talent.
Brittain, known for transforming Bulawayo’s Red Café into a mural-adorned venue that hosts live performances, said Sikhonjwa’s death casts a shadow over the hub’s launch.
“We must find a way to make it happen, to honour him. But the timing and arrangements are all uncertain now,” he said.
As plans for the unveiling remain in limbo, the arts community continues to mourn a media icon whose vision and energy shaped Bulawayo’s cultural scene.
Funeral arrangements for Sikhonjwa are pending, with the family requesting privacy. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
