Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
EXCITEMENT is building across Zimbabwe’s creative community as the Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA) has officially launched public voting for its prestigious People’s Choice Award today (Thursday). All nominees shortlisted for #BAA8 are now eligible for the public-driven honour, which carries a yet-to-be-revealed “life-changing” grand prize.
In an announcement circulated to media and artistes, the BAA organising committee declared: “Please note that voting for the #BAA8 People’s Choice Award is officially open on our website – every 2025 BAA nominee is eligible, so encourage your followers and audiences to vote now! The poll closes at 18:00hrs on Monday 15 December 2025, where we will announce the top ten to be voted for by ballot by the audience on the day of the awards 20th December 2025 at the venue. As always this award will carry a life-changing prize, to be revealed in due course.”
Fans worldwide can cast votes via the official portal at https://byoartsawards.org/#peoples-choice-award. The initial online phase will whittle nominees down to a final ten, who will then face a second round of live balloting during the main ceremony.
This year’s gala will return to the state-of-the-art Zimbabwe International Conference & Exhibition Smart City (ZICES) on December 20, where winners across 30 categories—from theatre to visual arts—will be unveiled. Nominees, announced last month, span emerging talents and established icons in Bulawayo’s vibrant arts scene.
The stakes are sky-high, with organisers hinting that this year’s People’s Choice prize could rival 2024’s spectacular reward. In 2023, Tshibilika music outfit ensemble Insimbi ZeZhwane electrified the crowd when they drove home in a brand-new vehicle after winning the public vote.
With campaigning expected to surge on social media, nominees have the chance to mobilise followers. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
