The 2017 Bulawayo Art Awards (BAA) are set to take place on the 30th of June at Large City Hall in Bulawayo. These awards are a platform meant to specifically honor and celebrate excelling artists born in the City of Kings, Matabeleland (North and South), as well as those originating from that region and practising art around the world. An acknowledgement that has if we could be honest has been lacking nationwide. This is evident in airplay and nation-encompassing awards in Zimbabwe. So you could only imagine how excited we were to find out that Bulawayo had stepped up to acknowledge what we would term the Creative hub of Zimbabwe. According to a presser, the awards not only aim at uplifting the arts industry but also aim at creating a competitive culture amongst artists and improving the standard of work.
Now that we are done gushing and have the basic public relations statement out of the way, lets look at these awards with a sober mind.
Time for a little rant…
There are a few red flags that are standing right in front of us as we go through the nominees list. The first issue is the number of female nominees in the mainstream categories. Did female writers in Bulawayo fail to produce literary works which the award organisers found acceptable? It maybe an issue of exclusion.
For a city of creatives that are complaining about the dubious nominations in existing Award shows, their own homegrown project should have fix that. Instead they go on to even make matters worse by grouping models of both genders in one category! The rest of the other sectors have different categories for both genders. Even the schools drama! Do we belittle the modelling sector so much its appearance on awards list is merely a formality?
All we ask for is for these award shows to show some form of credibility. For now they will remain just a night of fake smiles and heartbreaks and of course angry tweets.
We worry the Bulawayo Arts Awards are travelling a familiar predictable path, one where most awards show are now lying in. We are proud to note that they recognise the online media in their region. Not to scrape a lot from the categories, but isn’t there a Music Academy and Amakhosi in Bulawayo? Are the lecturers there so bad that they did not make the cut for Top Arts Educators?
Regardless (we guess) the organisers deserve all the respect for their effort. It takes innovative minds to roll out something of this well branded magnitude. This is with the hope they learn as they grow and ensure that the following award showcases will be better than their pilot.
Here are nominees in their respective categories for the inaugural BAA just as they were announced on the 3rd of June at Glen Lodge in Bulawayo. Who do you think is missing from the list?
Outstanding Visual Artist
Israel Israel
Bhekitshe Ntshali
Enock Chimbetete
Outstanding Literary Work
Marshal Chiza
Philani A Nyoni
Outstanding Online Media House
Onvi TV
Urban Culxure
Fokus Magazine
Outstanding Media House
The Chronicle
Skyz Metro FM
Sunday News
Outstanding Arts Journalist
Dube(Newsday)
Bruce Ndlovu(B Metro)
Bongani Ndlovu(The Chronicle)
Outstanding Video Director
Vusa Blaqs
Andy Cuta
Tswarelo Mothobe
Outstanding Poet
Likwa Oka Ncube
Desire Moyoxide
Tafirenyika
Outstanding Arts Photographer
K.B Mpofu
Josh Webster
Mgcini Nyoni
Outstanding Theatre Actress
Tsitsi Gumbo(Untikolothsi)
Nomvuyiso Mabi(Double Funeral)
Lady Tshawe(Kosha & The Drifter)
Outstanding Theatre Actor
Fortune Ruzungunde(Untikolotshi)
Gift Chakuvinga(Double Funeral)
Janco Van Der Weisterzen(Joseph and Coat of Many Colours)
Outstanding Film Actress
Donna N(The Lost Letter)
Nondumo C Ngwenya(Skhobokhobo : Power Jeki)
Gamuchirai Chenenga (In Between)
Outstanding Film Actor
Daniel Lesker
Exult Ncube(The Lost Letter)
Madlela(Skhobokhobo 2)
Outstanding Film
The Way It Is
The Arthur Evans Show
Thatha Wena
The Lost Letter
Outstanding Comedian
Carl Joshua Ncube
Oliver Keith
Clive Chigubhu
Ntando Van Moyo
Outstanding Tradition Dance Ensemble
Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble
Umkhathi Theatre Works
Sekunjalo Ma Africa
Outstanding Contemporary Dance Ensemble
Snipers Dance Crew
IYASA
Explosion Dance Crew
Outstanding Male Dancer
Mbongeni Nxumalo (IYASA)
Dereck Thembo (Kaisa)
Masotha Nzou (Sungura Masters)
Outstanding female dancer
Cheryl Mabaya (IYASA)
Dadirai Mpandawana (Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble)
Zanele Maseko (Hloseni Arts)
Outstanding Designer
Ara Kani
Brandroom Exclusive
Shadow by Sidumiso
Outstanding Model
Miyamiko Banda
Ashley Morgen
Shadel Noble
Outstanding Imbube Group/Act
Family Voices
Nobuntu
Impumelelo Shining Stars
Outstanding Kwaito/House
Skaiva
Mncedisi Moyo (Byo Knights)
Shirati
Sinazo
Outstanding Gospel Artist
Vocal X
Willis Wataffi
Lorraine Maplanka Stot
Eric Moyo
Outstanding Tshibilika/Rhumba
Madlela Sikhobokhobo
Martin Sibanda and Ndolwane Super Sounds
Clement Magwaza
Outstanding Alternative Music
Mozoe 7
Hwabaraty
Jeys Marabini
Sandra Ndebele
Outstanding Ambassador Based in South Africa
Berita Khumalo
Ernest Phosa Ndlovu
Oskido
Outstanding Ambassador Rest of World
Black Umfolosi
Mokoomba
Insingizi
Outstanding New Comer of the Year
Madlela Skhobokhobo
Donna N
Bkay & TKP (Ziya Vaya Show; Skyz Metro FM)
Outstanding DJ of the Year
Ryan Synth
DJ Liz
DJ Phathisani
Outstanding Hip Hop Artist
AWA-Khiwe
CAL-VIN
That Boy ASAPH
Song of the Year
Ingoma (Sandra Ndebele ft Mzoe 7)
Ngamnanka uSaMamoe (Madlela Skhobokhobo)
Kalanga Child (Sinazo ft DJ Dash)
Ngiyakukhumbula (Misizi Kay)
Zanaleli (Ras Boom and DJ Ace Kater)
Outstanding Male Artist of the Year
Mzoe 7
Vusa Mkhaya
CAL-VIN
Jeys Marabini
Ramsey K
Outstanding Female Artist of the Year
AWA-Khiwe
Kadder
Nkwali
Lorrain Maplanka Stot
Sandra Ndebele
Outstanding Actor (Schools)
Sailas Matsika (Gifford High School)
Wisdom Mpofu (Mzilikazi High School)
Nobert Makoche (Gifford High School)
Outstanding Actress (Schools)
Linet Cheure (Nketa High School)
Anita Moyo (Eveline High School)
Panashe Jima (Mzilikazi High School)
Outstanding Arts Educator
Bridget Sayers (Gifford High School)
Sandisiwe Bhebhe (Mzilikazi High School)
Thabani H. Moyo (Eveline High School)
Outstanding School Arts Effort
Gifford High School
Mzilikazi High School
Eveline High School
Congratulations to all nominees and Good Luck!
