Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma ,Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Veteran creative Albert Nyathi has described the late Babongile Sikhonjwa as a vibrant, energetic young man with a passion for developing the creative sector in Matabeleland.
Sikhonjwa died on September 21 at the age of 49.
In an interview, Nyathi said he had known Sikhonjwa for over two decades.
“I first met Babongile Sikhonjwa in 2000 when I had a show in Central London. He told me he had seen a poster of mine while driving with a friend. He started arguing that the person on the poster was me, and his friend dismissed him, saying it couldn’t be.
“They reversed to check, and indeed it was me and my band, Imbongi. So they came to the show, which ran for 10 days, promoted by Jeys Marabini’s Equator Company with Louis Hardon,” Nyathi recalled.
By then, Sikhonjwa was a young man full of dreams. The two even worked on a song together, although it was never released.
“2000 was a year when he didn’t even have a beard. He was very young, vibrant, and excited to see me. We connected from that time onward. At one point, he did a song about Bulawayo around 2008 and invited me to contribute a poem on the city, and I did. It was a lovely song full of comedy,” Nyathi said.
Over the years, Nyathi and Sikhonjwa collaborated on numerous projects. Whether at events where Sikhonjwa was the MC or gatherings with other entertainers, Nyathi remembered his energy and humour.
“He always had so many jokes. The Ndebele Rockstar. Sometimes he would invite me and say, ‘Mgabe, asihlangane kubraai phela,’” Nyathi said.
He also remembered Sikhonjwa’s caring nature.
“I recall a day when he was feeling lonely and found out I was in Bulawayo. He came to locate me, and we went to Richmond, where he was starting to run a club. He was always business-minded and truly a friend to everyone. Babongile Sikhonjwa, mfana wami, lala ngokuthula.” – Follow on X: @mthabisi_mthire
