Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment
THE abandoned warehouse off Khami Road, once buzzing with the energy of Mitchell “Mimi” Tshuma’s ambitious “Battle of the DJs,” now stands as a silent symbol of promises unfulfilled.
Mimi, a local figure known for her “Hope Restorers Academy” philanthropy, now finds her reputation under scrutiny after winners of the high-profile event revealed they are still waiting for their grand prize — an all-expenses-paid trip to South Africa — nearly a year later.
This failure underscores a troubling pattern and raises urgent questions about honesty and accountability within Bulawayo’s business and creative circles.
Last year, Mimi unveiled “Lifestylez Inc” with great fanfare, branding it as a “dynamic creative hub” designed to nurture local talent across various artistic disciplines.
The “Battle of the DJs” was its flagship event, drawing participants from across Zimbabwe, including Stockswit, Pamela, Teflon Don, Zet Factor, Gweru’s Trixxy, Mollie, Mufali, Pyce, and Harare’s Zulu King. Competitors fought fiercely, motivated by Tshuma’s pledge of career-launching international exposure.
Tshuma presented a formidable team to bring her vision to life, including herself as Boss MiMi (CEO and Head Visionary Manager), Tyrell (Admin and Marketing), Sammy (Front of House), Noey The Stylist (Curator & Image Architect), Cousin Steers (All Media Management), Munashe (Graphics and Designing), John Mobeshora (Diet and Nutrition), Marcel Studios (Fitness and Choreography/Stage Direction), and Mzoe DJ & Zandi Maz (Talent and Artist Mentors and Scouts).
Despite this structure, the project collapsed after the final beat dropped.
The wheel spinners who showcased real-time mixing — not Virtual DJ’ing — had high hopes of taking their careers to the next level. Everything seemed promising as the VW family joined the fray, with Skyz Metro FM’s Possenti Sikosana, DJ Mzoe and Mgcini from Namibia serving as adjudicators.
The outright winners were DJ Mufali and Zetfactor, local lads who have served as curtain-raisers at various high-calibre shows across the country.
“Months of calls, messages, nothing. We were promised a launchpad. Instead, we got ghosted. It’s disrespectful,” shared one winner, who requested anonymity fearing backlash.
Multiple winners confirmed similar experiences to this Hub. Efforts to reach Mimi via known phone numbers were unsuccessful; calls went unanswered. At the time of publication, no response had been received.
While Tshuma’s “Hope Restorers Academy” positions her as a community builder, the implosion of “Lifestylez Inc” has fuelled concerns among local artistes and entrepreneurs.
This incident is not viewed in isolation but as part of a perceived trend in which grand announcements outpace tangible delivery.
The disconnect affects more than individual reputations; it erodes trust in an ecosystem meant to support Zimbabwe’s creative economy.
What was pitched as a transformative hub for Bulawayo’s creatives now carries a bitter epitaph: “a dream that never was.” For the DJs who poured their talent into the battle, the only victory was a harsh lesson in the importance of vetting opportunities — and the devastating impact when a self-styled philanthropist’s promises ring hollow.
Promises, like beats, require a solid foundation to resonate. When they falter, the silence is deafening. —@MbuleloMpofu
