Langelihle Dube [email protected]
WHEN the lights dim, the speakers roar and the dance floor comes alive, Kotwane Hikwa knows exactly what to do. Behind the decks, the Bulawayo DJ and producer uses music to connect with his audience, blending Afro-house sounds with carefully selected tracks to keep the energy flowing.
Now, Hikwa is hoping to add another accolade to his growing list of achievements after being nominated for Outstanding Club DJ at this year’s Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAAs).
Having won the category at the previous edition, Hikwa returns as a defending champion, with the latest nomination recognising his continued contribution to the city’s entertainment industry.
He said receiving another nomination was particularly meaningful as it showed that his work continued to resonate with audiences and industry players.
“It means a lot. Winning last year was special and being nominated again tells me that the work hasn’t gone unnoticed. I’m grateful for the recognition, but more importantly, it motivates me to keep pushing. I still have a lot I want to achieve,” he said.
Since his previous win, Hikwa said he had become more deliberate about developing his craft, paying greater attention to music selection, preparation and creating memorable experiences for audiences.
He is also spending more time on music production, an area he believes will help him develop his creative identity beyond performing behind the decks.
“I’ve become more intentional about my craft. I’m paying more attention to music selection, preparation and creating memorable experiences for audiences. I’m also investing more time in music production because I want to grow beyond just playing music,” he said.
Some of the highlights of his career include sharing the stage with established regional artistes such as DJ Zinhle, De Mthuda and Enoo Napa at Carpe Diem, as well as MrJazziq at the Jacaranda Music Fest.
He also considers winning the Hennessy DJ Battle at Cotton Lounge a major milestone, saying such opportunities have encouraged him to take on new challenges and put himself out there.
Despite his growing profile, Hikwa remains committed to Afro-house, the genre closest to his heart, while remaining open to experimenting with other sounds.
He believes DJs should understand their audiences without compromising their musical identities.
“Afro-house is home for me, but I also enjoy experimenting with different sounds. I believe you can adapt to your audience without losing your identity. I always want people to hear a set and recognise that it’s Kotwane behind the decks,” he said.
Beyond his personal ambitions, Hikwa believes Bulawayo’s DJ community needs greater exposure and more opportunities to perform alongside established regional and international artistes.
He said local talent should be given access to bigger platforms, while DJs must invest in their development, support one another and look beyond the city’s entertainment scene.
“We have the talent in Bulawayo. We also need to support each other, invest in our craft and stop limiting ourselves to our city. There’s a bigger market out there for us,” he said.
Asked whether returning as a nominee came with the pressure of defending his title, Hikwa said he was comfortable with the competition and would welcome another win.
However, he said he respected the work of his fellow nominees and preferred to focus on improving his craft rather than worrying about the outcome.
Looking ahead, the DJ is preparing for another production milestone through an upcoming collaboration with international artiste Nitefreak on a track titled Iskuta Sami, which is scheduled for release before the end of November.
For Hikwa, the collaboration is another step towards establishing himself as a producer and expanding his reach beyond DJ performances.
Ultimately, he hopes to be remembered as an artiste who helped put Bulawayo on the map through
Afro-house and DJ culture while creating opportunities for the next generation of talent.
“I believe there’s still a lot more to come,” he said.
