Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza
BULAWAYO was gearing up for one of the biggest football matches of the 2025 PSL season, but joy quickly turned to sorrow. Radio and entertainment star Babongile Skhonjwa passed away on 21 September at the age of 49 after a short illness.
Skhonjwa, a household name, would have been at Barbourfields Stadium cheering for Bosso, proudly wearing his head gest (umqhele) and spreading his infectious humor. Instead, the city mourned a vibrant personality known for cracking crude but never offensive jokes and for his unmatched humility.
Known as “The Ndebele Rockstar,” Skhonjwa spent over a decade entertaining Bulawayo through Skyz Metro FM before joining Star FM in 2023 to host The After-Drive. His talent earned him a National Arts Merit Award (Nama) for Outstanding Radio Presenter in 2019.
But radio was just one facet of his genius. He thrived as a comedian, actor, sound engineer, and events promoter. Skhonjwa also mentored a new generation of artists, helping launch the careers of DJ Skaiva, Mzoe 7, Tebza, Phanas, Mzistozz Mfanafuthi, Guluva 7, and others.
Tributes continue to pour in, with fans and colleagues celebrating his sharp wit, generosity, and dedication to Bulawayo’s arts scene. Those who knew him remember a man who lived to make others laugh and never shied away from nurturing talent.
Bulawayo has lost one of its brightest stars, and the city’s arts and entertainment scene will feel the void for years to come.
