The prestigious Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA) which recognizes talent in Zimbabwe’s second largest city is back on cards with organizers promising a bigger and better event, cementing City of Kings’ place as the country’s biggest arts hub.
The bar was raised quite high last year which prompted the second edition now set for the 26th of May 2018 under a new name, Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards following their partnership with United Refineries Limited.
Speaking to 263Chat, Chairperson of the Awards Committee, Raisedon Baya said the second edition will be bigger, better filled with glitz and glamour.
“We have an Awards show for the people. It will be a huge show, glitz and glamour. Spectacular, we want people to have an experience, not to just come watch people receiving gongs and hear speeches,
“Tickets going on well. People are excited about the awards. We are expecting the sales to pick up and to have a full house like last year,” said Baya.
He added that this year will be special as new there will be new acts though he refused to be drawn into revealing names of artists set to perform at the event.
The Bulawayo Arts Awards will also see new categories with literary arts award split into two- fiction and non fiction. In addition, TV and Film have also been separated into two different awards.
Last year, the Bulawayo Large City Hall was a full house but the organizers have not changed to a bigger space with Baya saying if history repeats itself, then they would consider moving to a more spacious venue for future editions.
“At the moment it is the best venue. Secondly, we don’t know why we had a great response like last year. If we have the same or more this year then we can start seriously thinking of moving the venue to something bigger,
“We got a title sponsorship from United Refineries Ltd. We are still Bulawayo Arts Awards but now supported by Roil. This is the norm world over,” explained Baya.
However sponsors who sponsored last year’s event are still on board.
Below is the list of nominees:
COMEDY
Outstanding Comedian
Mandla da Comedian
Hubert Dumisani aka MaForty
Clive Chigubhu
POETRY
Outstanding Poet
ASA
BLACKLILY
Tinashe Tafirenyika
DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Contemporary Dance Ensemble
Anti Virus
Khaya Arts
Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble
Outstanding Male Dancer
Newman Takawira (Iyasa)
Julius Hlabangana (Ezimnyama)
Mbongeni Nxumalo (Iyasa
Outstanding female Dancer
Juliet Dube (Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble)
Praise Ncube (Khaya Arts)
Thandeka Mabhena (Sungura Masters
FASHION AND LIFESTYLE AWARDS
OUTSTANDING FASHION DESIGN
Nkanyeziyethu Malunga
Nkululeko Ncube aka AraKani
Yvette Marguax Ndaba aka Sishebo
OUTSTANDING MALE MODEL
Shadel Noble
Welsh the stylist
Panashe Beaton
OUTSTANDING FEMALE MODEL
Princess Mpofu
Ashley Morgan
Mitchell Chikwengo
FILM & TV AWARDS
Outstanding Television Production/Program
Ekhoneni by Vincent Ngwenya
DlalaNgamla by Rasqueity
Isipho Sami by Thembelihle Moyo
Outstanding Film
Londisizwe – by Dumisani Manyathela
Jaiva Sibone – by Memory Kumbota
The Walk – by Daniel Lasker
Outstanding Film / TV Director
Daniel Lasker – The Walk
Memory Kumbota – JaivaS’bone
LONDISIZWE – Dumisani Manyathela
Outstanding Film / TV Actress
Precious Makhulumo – Isipho Sami
Bridget Dube in Londisizwe
NomvuyisoMabi– The Walk
Outstanding Film / TV Actor
Paul Conolly in The Walk
Prince Zulu – Ekhoneni
Percy Shoko – JaivaS’bone.
MEDIA AWARDS
Outstanding Arts Journalist Across Board
Bruce Ncube
Sindiso Dube
Bongani Ndlovu
Outstanding Online Media
Umthombo iConnect
Urban Culxure
Focus Magazine
OUTSTANDING MAINSTREAM MEDIA
SkyzMetro FM
Sunday News
Chronicle
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Mhondiwa Mhepo
Tinashe Charleson
Mgcini Nyoni
OUTSTANDING RADIO DJ
Babongile Skhonjwa
BK & TKP (Duo)
Emity Smooth
SCHOOLS ARTS AWARDS
OUTSTANDING ARTS EDUCATOR (HIGH SCHOOLS)
Nkosi Mlibazi – Nketa High
Dansie Hlosokuhle Mhlanga – Empandeni Girls High
Bridget Sayers – Gifford Boys High
OUTSTANDING SCHOOL ARTS EFFORT
Gifford Boys High
Empandeni High
Eveline High
OUTSTANDING ACTOR (HIGH SCHOOL)
Sailas Matsika – Gifford
Henry Rakotama – Gifford
Bhekimuzi Khumalo – Mzilikazi High
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS (HIGH SCH)
Primrose L. Tshuma – Empandeni High
SihleMasuku – Maranatha High
GugulethuBhebhe – Nketa High
THEATRE AWARDS
Outstanding Director
MatesuDube – Ihloka
Thabani H. Moyo – In My Skin
Khumbulani Mathe – Say Forgiveness
Outstanding Theatre Actor
Gift Chakuvinga – In My Skin
Ishmael Muvingi – Ihloka
Leonard Phiri – Ihloka
Outstanding Theatre Actress
Agnes Ncube – Blood Tongue
Lady Tshawe – Blood Tongue
Memory Mguni – Say Forgiveness
Outstanding Theatre Production
Blood Tongue – Nhimbe Trust
Ihloka – Umkhathi Theatre Works
In My Skin – Naughty By Nature
VISUAL ARTS AWARDS
VISUAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bhekitshe Ntshali
Nonhlanhla Mathe
Israel Israel
MUSIC AWARDS
OUTSTANDING KWAITO/HOUSE/GQOM ACT
Badilla
Skaiva
Paula Paloma
OUTSTANDING ALTERNATIVE ACT
Khuxman
Willis Wataffi
Edith WeUtonga–Madalisto
Zinjaziyamluma
Hwabaratty
OUTSTANDING GOSPEL ACT
Mai Mwamuka
Women of Valour
Tholakele
T1
IMBUBE
Indonsakusa
Ukukhanya Kwezwe
Umdumo Wesizwe
OUTSTANDING TSIBILIKA/RHUMBA
Ndux Jr
Clement Magwaza
Martin Ndolwane
OUTSTANDING AMBASSADOR BASED IN SA
Enerst Phosa – (Actor)
Bekezela ( Musician)
Zinjaziyamluma (Musician)
Mellisa Laung (TV Presenter)
OUTSTANDING SONG OF THE YEAR
Bekezela – BEKEZELA
Amaloja – Khuxman
Lizwile – Sandra Ndebele
Veleangikuzwa – Nceku
BathiAsoyami – Clement Magwaza
NEWCOMER
Maforty
Jam Session
K breezy
Charmaine Mudau
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Sandara Ndebele
Lorraine Stot
Tholakele
Edith WeUtonga
TKP
MALE ARTIST of THE YEAR
Khuxman
Bekezela
Cal-vin
BabongileSkonjwa
Carl Joshua Ncube
OUTSTANDING MUSIC ViDEO
Sandra Ndebele – Lizwile
Bekezela – Bekezela
Tytan – Penge Penge
T1nda –
CLUB DJ
DJ Yugo
Mackvusani
DJ Liz
DJ Slammer
SPECIAL AWARDS
OUTSTANDING AMBASSADOR REST OF THE WORLD
Albert Nyathi (Poet)
NoViolet Bulawayo (Writer)
Insingizi (Musicians)
Donel Mangena (Musician)
