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Nkululeko Nkala
Since the turn of the millennium, the arts industry has seen the birth and expiry of many creatives across all art genres.
We have seen and celebrated the rise of many into household names and in equal measure, we have cried for the many hopefuls who fell by the way side. There has been one constant in the industry as all this happened. His name is Babongile Sikhonjwa.
True to the adage a prophet is rarely celebrated in his home town, Sikhonjwa as he is affectionately known has done it all for the industry, with little appreciation or no celebration to his prowess. Though his works cannot be narrowed down to one single article, I will try my best.
My first interaction with Babongile was back then before Whiztech/Philibao and DSTV. The guy produced a cool cartoon music video for his song I Spy With My Eye. At the time ZBC was our a�?gooda�? and only option. I was amazed. I knew I wanted to know the guy.
His music video was the first of its kind in Zimbabwe. The only other cartoon animated music video that came to mind then was Tupac Amaru Shakura��s posthumous Do For Love.
At scratching his surface, I found out he sold his first EP on the internet in 1998, I doubt anyone did that before him and not just in Bulawayo, I mean Zimbabwe. I later learnt of and attended many of his events and was lucky to be part of some them. I am tempted to say he is one of the best visionaries when it comes to club life.
We are talking about a guy that has managed Khami Bar (now The Lounge) , Ballers league @ BAC , the iconic Kudu Bar, Ivy League, Ayoba, Bar Labarla and Jock and Saddle to name a few. All these places were happening and as the young will say a�?bootinga�? and always had something fresh to give out.
Many out theatre may only know Babongile as a Master of Ceremonies. He is by far the most sought after MC in the country. We even export him sometimes. I can count hundreds of big events he has taken charge of, the most recent being Philip Chiyangwaa��s birthday celebrations which featured the Fifa President Gianni Infantino.
Through his company Ancestor Records he produced and managed among others Otis Ngwabi of Ndiwe fame. The first ever double CD in Zimbabwe was a compilation of Bulawayo music which was produced by Sikhonjwa.
Mandoza (rest in peace), Malaika, Mgarimbe of the Sista Betina fame, Mafikizolo, Bongo Maffin, Rebecca Malope, Sifiso Ncwane (rest in peace), Lucky Dube (rest in peace), Brickz, Micasa, Zahara and Mapaputsi have another thing in common besides music, which is Sikhonjwa. As he either promoted or managed their events.
We sometimes call him a man of firsts. He did the first ever one-man comedy show in the City at Walkers Club. I remember it like yesterday, way before anyone thought comedy was an industry.
The first time Highlanders FC played outside of Bulawayo at a non-league venue he was involved. The Highlanders versus Dynamos game in Tsholotsho. We now have train parties, the first successful one was his birthday celebration. I cana��t even bring myself to talk about theatre in the pub or the 1st ever street bash, because I have a word count.
Why am I talking about this guy? Last week on Friday I found myself at Connect Night Club and I have to confess I and many others enjoyed Babongilea��s DJ set. He has that wow factor, something many DJs fail to grasp.
He makes you feel like he is playing the song specifically for you. He knows when to move on and when to speak. I then realised, we never celebrate our own.
Here is to the Skyz MetroFM front man as a Radio presenter of Vuka Vuka Breakfast show, Club DJ, musician, comedian, MC, Arts Administrator, event organiser and businessman. Our arts is lucky to have you. We salute you Sikhonjwa. Until next week, be safe . . . @nkuenkala
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