Online Reporter
Sipepisiwe Moyo, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
WHAT began as a simple request to volunteer at a beauty pageant became the launchpad for Babongile Sikhonjwa’s rise as one of Zimbabwe’s most beloved masters of ceremony. Renowned pageant organiser and founder of Miss Rural Zimbabwe and Miss Summer Strides, Sipho Mazibuko, vividly recalls the moment she first met Sikhonjwa —an encounter that would change the course of his career and cement a lifelong friendship between the two.
“I met Sikhonjwa in 2002 when he came to me with Mr Ndiweni from Providence Sounds, who was their décor manager at the time. They wanted to offer free services for my Miss Malaika show, which was going to be held in the Midlands. Since I was the leading modelling practitioner in Matabeleland, they wanted to build a working relationship with me.”
It was during this encounter that Sikhonjwa, full of ambition and confidence, asked if he could be the MC for the pageant — a role he would share with radio personality, Bridget Gavanga. His performance impressed Mazibuko, marking the beginning of a strong professional and personal bond between the two.
“From there, we moved on to Miss Tsholotsho and around that time, Sandra Ndebele also approached me. It’s not easy for an artiste to be given a platform to showcase their talent, but Sikhonjwa, being who he was, melted my heart.
We did Miss Tsholotsho and Summer Strides together, and we became very close — me, Sandra and Sikhonjwa — travelling across Zimbabwe for Miss Rural.”
Over the years, Sikhonjwa became a fixture at Mazibuko’s events, always her first choice for the MC role. His charisma, quick wit and ability to connect with audiences made him a favourite on the national entertainment scene.
“His death is a huge loss. I could not stop crying when I heard the news. I’m still heartbroken. It’s a big loss to the entertainment industry, to Matabeleland and to me personally — someone who groomed him under my hands. People might never have known him if I hadn’t given him that first platform.”
“I am going to miss him dearly. He was the best, and his laughter will forever ring in my heart.”
Mazibuko also shared fond and humorous memories of their friendship, including the last birthday gift she gave Sikhonjwa in 2020 — a box of toothpicks presented to him live on stage during Miss Summer Strides.
“I always used to buy pork chops at Red Café and never got toothpicks, so I decided to give him a carton of them. He appreciated it so much.”
She also reminisced about the time Sikhonjwa was offered a job at Star FM. “The Zimpapers boss at the time wanted to hire him, but was wary of his sharp tongue, saying he’d have to hold his heart every time Sikhonjwa went on air. Sikhonjwa promised he had matured and that those days were behind him. That was the last time I saw him.”
