Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Lifestyle Correspondent
From joyous romantic reunions to heartbreaking tragedies, let us look back at the biggest headlines of the year.
It’s safe to say 2025 has been a big year for celebrity news.
While there have been a few shocking heartbreaking tragedies that instantly come to mind, there have been some noteworthy bright spots as well.
In 2025, Zimbabwe’s creative industry has emerged as a powerful engine, driving business and economic growth across the country.
From groundbreaking music shows and blockbuster films to fashion revivals, social media trends, and heartfelt tributes, the entertainment industry in 2024 was a mix of innovation, nostalgia, and reflection.
In January, Janet Manyowa made headlines early in the year with ANOT, an unexpected and critically acclaimed venture into gospel music.
Alas she is opening 2026 with another edition of ANOT concert.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean short film Rise dominated international awards, recently winning “Best Short Film” and “Best Child Actor” at the Regal Film Festival Awards (REFFA) in Accra, Ghana. The film has accumulated over 16 awards and has also qualified for consideration at the 2026 Oscars.
In music concerts, Doek & Slay an all-women’s parties made historic record breaking crowds throughout the year’s gatherings.
Oasis reunited, sparking excitement among fans, while the viral “Brat Summer” trend captured the spirit of the season on social media.
The latter earlier of the year was marked by reflection and loss.
The entertainment world bid farewell to artistes including Tatenda Pinjisi, Charles Mapalume popularly known as Marabha, Ndebele Rock Star Babongile Sikhonjwa and recently the legendary Madzibaba Nicholas Zakaria whose contributions shaped generations of storytelling and artistry.
Music insane fans this year questioned Holy Ten’s mental health.
For local musicians most of them had a successful year topping music charts.
Artistes like Winky D, Jah Prayzah, Saintfloew, Nisha, Master H, and Feli Nandi made big moves in 2025, shaping their music careers with sick releases and collabos.
For some the year has been hectic and will be spending this day with their loved ones. For the greater part of the year Holy Ten suffered from mental breakdown. He did some questionable things that made him being admitted to a rehabilitation in South Africa.
The year 2025 was not at all “Wicked.” Local creatives made giant strides internationally, captivating audiences with the appeal of their artwork.
Breaking into the global market has instilled hope in many visual artists, who often feel under-appreciated at home.
Innovation and creativity, coupled with collaborations with international galleries, are now yielding positive results for numerous visual artists, many of whom had a successful 2025 season.
Below are some of the creatives comments:
Master H (Zimdancehall singer)
2025 was the Greatest year in my Musical Career so far. 2025 can with a lot of challenges, critics, comparisons, but mostly fruitful lessons. 2025 took me out of my comfort zone and I can safely say the BRAND MASTER H has improved musically, socially and financially all in the name of Jesus
The international affiliation and collaborations with other iconic artists such as Capleton, Luciano and Tarrus Riley. It can with a lot of experience and wisdom from the legendary artists during our recording sessions and musical video shoots.
Owning a professional recording studio was one of my greatest achievement in the year 2025 and also not forgetting the Band itself with at least 8 members who are professionals and happy to be part and parcel of the movement.
My fan base has grown rapidly over the past 11 months both on social media and on the ground with most people rallying behind our fan base theme called “Ngwambi Yakageza”.
In 2025, I got to launch my debut album with 11 Musical Videos which is available on our all musical platforms and online socials. The launch itself was a Success with large numbers who came out to support regardless of the harsh weather conditions on the day (Rain).
What a successful launch it was and shout out to businessman Dr Tagwirei with the gesture of US$30 000 in support of the album “Petrichor”, 2k USD from Allen Sibanda another Masvingo based businessman and 5k from ambassador Appiah known as Nyasha Musavengana.
Keith Zenda (visual artist)
As the year winds down, I’m reflecting on an incredible journey. My art career has flourished with international exhibitions and sales – it’s been a dream come true!
Looking back on 2025, my greatest achievements stand out: opening my state-of-the-art Art Gallery in Domboshava at Mverechena shopping centre has been the highlight. This gallery was my dream, and it’s now a reality – big, bold, and showcasing the best of Zimbabwean art.
I’m celebrating the festive season in style – with family and artist friends at my gallery and studio. It’s gonna be a creative festive season!
As for 2026, I’m geared up to create extraordinary work and empower more upcoming artists to reach the top. Plans include pushing boundaries with new art and guiding talented artists to shine.
Edith WeUtonga (songstress)
It is quite a lot to celebrate honestly. On my work front as a union head, I was re-elected into the presidium of the International Federation of Musicians at our 23rd Congress in Geneva
We advocated for a lot of changes in the way musicians receive their royalties and voices the concerns of musicians through the union and we are happy to see slight and slow changes.
There was a threat to how musicians operate and we were there to help stop them. Our collaborative work with the musicians union in Finland helped us honour first ever Gender at Work Conference which brought all stakeholders together to address the challenges in the sector. We also collaborated with Intwasa Arts Fest as well as with Music in Africa Foundation and successfully brought the gender at work training and performance to life! Personally, my work getting recognition in a sector so big in the United Kingdom is a big highlight for 2025.
Sipilisiwe Kaikeni (actress)
The year is wrapping up! 2025 is looking fire! I did some exciting film projects like “Nhai Maiguru” movie. 2025 was a phenomenal year for me I experienced new challenging roles
This holiday I am keeping it low-key this year, will spend it with loved ones, 2026 I am looking forward to more projects especially those challenging roles want to try every role.
Eunice Tava (actress)
2025 wasn’t a great year for me — economically, socially, and mentally it was tough, but things started looking up towards the end of the year. My biggest achievements were hosting the arts festival with Let Them Trust and launching the theatre play I directed, ‘Muchazondida’.
For Christmas, we went to Mhondoro at my village, as is custom almost every year. Spending this special day with my family is priceless to me.
As for my plans for the new year I’ll be touring with the theatre play I directed. I want to focus on producing and performing my one-hander play. I will also catch up on programs I had to put on hold this year at Chedenga Foundation due to lack of resources — these are programs I run as part of my philanthropic work at the foundation.
Dominic Benhura (sculptor)
2025 was generally just another year we survived by His Mercies and Grace.
One of my greatest achievements in 2025 was the public installation of one of my sculptures by the Carefree City in Arizona.
This festive holidays, I will be home with Family. My plans for the new year is local work towards the end of year and one in Europe.
Trayvon Madya (modelling)
2025 has been a defining year for my career. It challenged me to grow beyond comfort and forced me to take myself seriously — my craft, my discipline and my vision. I made choices that weren’t always easy but they aligned me closer to who I want to become. More than progress, this year gave me clarity.
I see 2025 as a year that aged me in a good way. It wasn’t loud but rather more glamorous and it was honest. It asked more of me than any year before it and it stripped away illusions I once had about success, being a model and how to carry myself on the spotlight. I learned that progress doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes it just looks like endurance, like showing up even when no one is watching.
My greatest achievement wasn’t just what I accomplished, but what I overcame. I stayed consistent when motivation was low, showed up when things felt uncertain and finished what I started. I built momentum, strengthened my skills and proved to myself that I can trust my own resilience. I perused my Automotive Engineering Program, I continued my music career and I also was Mr. Glamour 2025. All was a huge honour to me.
This festive holiday is softer than the ones I remember in my younger years. It’s less about celebration and more about presence. I’m spending it with the people who stayed, the ones who saw me tired and uncertain and loved me anyway.
There’s gratitude in that. A deep, humbling kind. As much as it is a time to celebrate, it also a moment to reflect, realigning and reappraise
New Year’s no longer feels like a race to reinvent myself. It feels like a moment to breathe. I’m carrying forward the lessons, not the regrets. I’m setting intentions that honour my limits and my values. I’ll step into the new year quietly, with resolve — not to rush life, but to live it more deliberately.
New Year’s is about intention. I’m not chasing noise or pressure, I’m setting clear goals, refining my vision and entering the next chapter with focus.
I plan to welcome the new year calmly, aware of my purpose and ready to execute everything I’ve been preparing for.
