This year’s Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards were hosted on the 25th of November, with Amard, Muntomkhulu, Norma and Master E as the hosts on the night. From leading the nominees list, Nitefreak once again led the way for award winners as he took home three accolades: Oustanding Club DJ, Oustanding Song of the Year and Oustanding Worldwide Ambassador.
In honour of it’s 7th edition, the award show also celebrated 7 icons: Ezra “Tshisa” Siba (Renowned broadcast journalist), Simbarashe Hudson (Jazz guitarist), Cal Vin (The late stalwart of Zimbabwean HipHop), Thabani H Moyo (Arts educator and playwright), Thandanani Women’s Ensemble (A traditional dance group formed in 1991), Black Imfolosi (Acappella (Imbube) singing and traditional dance group formed in 1982) and Ericah Gwetai née Mugadzaweta (Author).
Here is the full list of this year’s award winners:
Outstanding Hip Hop Artist/Act
- Mlue Jay
- Killemol
- Noluntu J
- Brucella
- Lamaz
- Joy Rukanza
Outstanding Alternative Music
- Ma9nine
- Fish M Ndaramu
- Fab G Mshanakagogo
- Aphiwe and Sobancane
- Fury Gun
- Calvin Mangena
- Abigail Mabuza
Outstanding Kwaito/House/Gqom
- Mzistozz
- Nitefreak
- MJ Sings
Outstanding Gospel Artist/Act
- Vusa Mangena
- Pastor Barack
- Everton Mlalazi
- Snowy
Outstanding Radio DJ
- GabsFire – Skyz Metro FM
- Taboka Nleya – Skyz Metro FM
- Noxy Diva – ZIFM
- Leonard Umfumdisi – Khulumanj FM
Outstanding Club DJ
- Nitefreak
- Kead Wicked
- DJ Sida
- Nizhe De Soul
Outstanding Imbube/Acapella
- Great Stars Ijongosi
- Amaqaqa
- Black Umfolosi
- Ubuntu Bomuntu
Outstanding Ma Eli Tshibilika/Rhumba Act
- Insimbi ZeZhwane
- Amathonga Amahle
- Godolude
- Madlela
- Clement Magwaza
Outstanding Song of the Year
- Insimbi ZeZhwane – ‘GPS’
- Sandra Sibanda – ‘Cwebezela’
- Mandie Mae – ‘Lifestyle’
- Amany – ‘Novuyo’
- Nitefreak – ‘Premier Gaou Remix’
- Calvin Mangena – ‘Ihulumende’
- Fury Gun – ‘Awukhuzeki’
Outstanding Female Artist
- Noluntu J
- Joy Rukanza
- Charmaine Mudau
- Mandie Mae
Outstanding Male Artist
- Nitefreak
- MJ Sings
- Fury Gun
- Mzistozz Mfanafuthi
- Fab G Mshanakagogo
- Calvin Mangena
Outstanding Music Producer
- DJ Jabs
- Black Orient
- Godwin Smallz
- Nashville
Outstanding Music Video
- Noluntu J – ‘Ghost’
- Calvin Mangena – ‘Ihulumende’
- Da Kudu – ‘Kiss Dilika’
- Fury Gun – ‘Awukhuzeki’
Outstanding Dance Ensemble
- Sekunjalo Ma Afrika
- Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble
- Simunye Simunye Arts
- IYASA
Outstanding Female Dancer
- Mandisa Maseko AKA Stormzw
- Sasha Juliet Zulu
- Faith S Dube – Ezimnyama
- Christine Sibanda – Simunye Simunye
Outstanding Male Dancer
- Anele Sithole – Iyasa
- Tich Hero Chikara – Project See Me Dance Ensemble
- Allen T Mahwehwe – Simunye Simunye
Outstanding Online Media
- DAB Three
- Bulawayo Arts News Online
- Creatives Magazine
Outstanding Arts Photographer
- ERN Photography
- Kingshee Photos
- Nikolgraphy
Outstanding Model
- Francisco Kampira
- Stacey Hall
- Jemimwa Mandemwa
- Amanda Peresu Moyo
- Liberty Malala
Outstanding Literary Work English
- The Misfit by Ayanda M Moyo
- Whatever happened to Rick Astley by Bryony Rheam
- Delilah Protocol by Robert Mukondiwa
- Magic and Masala by Violette Kee-Tui
- A Colonial Boy by John Eppel
Outstanding Fashion Designer House
- Sanah Designs
- Scarless By Bernard
- Ganu
Outstanding Ndebele Literary Work
- Lingacitshi Ikhandlela by Emmanuel Moyo
- Kumnyama by Witness Timothy Hadebe
- Impilo Le by Pretty Ndlovu
- Ukhethiwe by Zibusiso Condry Mabonisa
Outstanding Comedian
- Mbongeni Ignatius
- Dalu The Comedian
- Um’ikazi Wemphuphu
- Mahlalela Mahlalela
Outstanding Poet
- Chioniso Tsikisayi
- Thaluso The Poet
- Dr Gasolo
- Poet Lethu
Outstanding Ambassador (Worldwide)
- Q Dube
- Nitefreak
- Sisasenkosi
Outstanding Arts Journalist
- Mkhululi Ncube – The Chronicle
- Mbulelo Mpofu – The Chronicle
- Langalakhe Mabhena – B Metro
- Mpumelelo Moyo – NewsDay
- Mkhokheli Kabane Zibengwa – Bano
Outstanding Arts Theatre Actress
- Musawenkosi Sibanda – Simunye
- Charmaine Mudau – Simunye
- Bonakele Agnes Ncube – 3Sum
Outstanding Theatre Actor
- Zenzo Nyathi – Act of Man
- Mzingaye Ngwabi – 3Sum
- Ishmael Muvingi – Bayethe Nksoi
- Bruce Mutero – Simunye
Outstanding Theatre Production
- Simunye by Indlovu Theatre
- An Act of Man by Zenzo Nyathi
- Bayethe Nkosi by Umkhathi Arts
Outstanding Film/TV Actor
- Madlela – Madlela Comes Home
- Alex Marowa – High School Diaries
- Ashley Nkosikhona Mpofu – Ihlazo
Outstanding Film/TV Actress
- Sithandazile Dube – Madlela Comes Home
- Florence Sithole – Ihlazo
- Nonduduzo Ncube – Usendo/Maliwe
Outstanding Newcomer
- Da Kudu
- Aphiwe and Sobancane
- Fury Gun
- Albinism Connect Band
- Bhila
Outstanding TV Production/Programme
- Madlela Comes Home
- High School Diaries
- I Wear My Culture
- My Name is My Name
- Quack the Duck
People’s Choice
- Insimbi ZeZhwane
