Thaluso Da Poet eyes BAA in honour of mentor Moyoxide

Langalakhe Mabena, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub

WORDSMITH Thaluso Da Poet, nominated for the second consecutive year at the 2025 Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA) in the Moyoxide Outstanding Poet category, says winning the accolade would elevate his craft and inspire him to create even more.

Thaluso is nominated alongside poetesses We Create Africa, Um’Africakazi and Sonkomose, in a category renamed in honour of the late arts administrator Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo. The awards will be held on December 20 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) Hall 3.

Being nominated in consecutive editions has given the young poet confidence that his work is reaching its intended audience and making a meaningful impact on society. He described being shortlisted in a category named after the late legendary poet Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo, as an exceptional honour.

“In my life, I never imagined I’d be nominated for an award named after Moyoxide, especially now that he is no more. This nomination comes with mixed emotions because Moyoxide was my mentor. I personally give thanks to the BAA organisers for honouring my ancestor in poetry.

“It’s my wish to scoop the award so that I can honour him for guiding me in this journey, but it might be tricky considering the creatives I am up against. The category is dominated by females, which worries me. We have a legend, Um’Africakazi as part of the nominees and from my view, she could be a favourite. But since there’s no voting, we’ll leave it to the judges on the panel,” Thaluso said.

Thaluso went on to praise the BAA team for preserving the legacies of fallen heroes by renaming categories after them. These include the late Pathisa Nyathi (Pathisa Nyathi Outstanding Literary Work) and Babongile Sikhonjwa (Babongile Sikhonjwa Outstanding Radio DJ).

Other legends honoured are Ishmael Muvingi (Litshe Outstanding Dance Ensemble), Sihlangu Dlodlo (Qhube Outstanding Theatre Production) and Moyoxide.

“I really appreciate what the organisers are doing to preserve the legacy of our fallen heroes, especially Moyoxide, because I was close to him. He taught me to believe in what I’m doing and to be satisfied with what I have.

“He always told me that no matter what comes along the way, I must stay focused. As he used to say, ‘one must listen to the music and ignore the noise’. I hope this initiative will help us heal while remembering our heroes,” Thaluso said.