With very little public performances in 2020 and 2021, it was mind-boggling to me how the decision to host the awards was arrived at. Could this have been a business decision or a Bulawayo creatives decision? How “Bulawayo” are the Bulawayo Arts Awards for who by who?
Entry to the venue was simple and easy, the red carpet event hosted by Red Carpet team of Farie Jules Calvin Madula and Spanchie Omnyama mirrored an opulent time and space, as Bulawayo people dressed by local designers and self-styled guest, nominees, and sponsors posed for photos and interviews. So why “red” and who is supposed to walk on the "red carpet" could this be the best time our weavers start designing our Bulawayo carpet?
The sitting arrangement was relaxed enabling interaction with sponsors, partners, paying guests and nominees. It was a good networking space across the creative sector in Zimbabwe and beyond the borders. Our city fathers enjoyed the event high up from the comfort of the interior balcony. It is a commendable and well-deserved gesture from the City of Bulawayo to avail the Large City Hall for this event. The poor lightning at the back of the hall and the dark parquet floors and a flooded men’s toilet signaled that it’s time to look into a contemporary space.
The main stage host Q. Dube, together with Charmaine Mudau kept the event flowing smoothly capturing the attention of the guests, and coordinating well with back stage. The choice jokes from the comedian could have been well thought, especially for an all-inclusive event like the BAA, kodwa they were both on point. I had a bit of a challenge with names of the great performers.
The technical team managing audio visuals and sound were equally on point with a well sychronised script with the performances and award presenters. It’s time that our talented graphic designers develop home grown visuals to compliment events of this nature, I suppose it’s a question of quotations not matching the budget. For an indoor event the combinations of Lekos, PAR and Intelligent Lighting could be toned down since it was a multi-performance event, however the lights were professionally controlled sharp and crisp.
We were informed that the 2021 event was organized in 3 parts allowing the organisers to compress the whole presentation and conform to the COVID-19 curfew, seeing uniformed low enforcement agents on stage in the previous edition was disturbing and crushing for everyone. The downside for me on the 3 part event was balancing the prominence of the nominees. Managing practitioners in that manner may have serious consequences to the future.
A well-presented live performance and encompassing new talent on stage was beautifully choreographed and the live band was amazing. Certainly, Bulawayo has talent but lacked originality that Bulawayo touch, perhaps a challenge to content creators. Surely, we can’t be reminiscing on the music of Lovemore Majaivana, Ilanga, Dorothy Masuku we need new legends. I must say Skhosana is the new “Bulawayo” dude, I have not had a chance to listen to his music but from what I read from Zenzele Ndebele’s FB page, and yesterday’s performance of Intethe song, I am keen to read more about him. So ngubani uSkhosana?
The actual presentation of awards was marvelous and energetic the list of nominees and eventual winners will take another review. There is so much happening in Bulawayo in terms of the Arts, Culture and Heritage. My understanding of ama awards is that it’s a ceremony like BAA should make creative people feel that their work is valued. Like, some kind of approval and validation for a good job, and it makes people aware that good work can be rewarded. I think that recognition motivates people to support talent, what I witnessed is that the "people" were missing even though the event was streamed live. Bulawayo artists seem to be very supportive of each others acts, so much that they make up 60% of nonpaying audiences. We may need to find other ways of presenting our productions. I have noticed recently that street performances in Bulawayo generate a lot of street audiences and they do offer cash on the go. Now, how do we move forward in building up on these new audiences?
Any way here is a full list of Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards 2021 Winners
Outstanding Song of the Year: ‘For Me’ – DJ Zandimaz
Newcomer of the Year (All Genres) : Sandra Sibanda
Outstanding Male Artist of the Year : Msizkay
Outstanding Female Artist of the Year : Vuyo Brown
Outstanding Hip Hop Artist/Act : Awa
Outstanding Kwaito/House/Gqom Act : Mawiza
Outstanding Alternative Music : Thandy Dlana
Outstanding Gospel Artist/Act : Mai Mwamuka
Outstanding Imbube/Acapella Group/Act : Focus Accapella
Outstanding Tshibilika/Rhumba Act : Insimbi Zezhwane
Outstanding Music Producer : Nashville
Outstanding Music Video : ‘Induku Enhle’ – X Mile
Outstanding Radio DJ : Nomalanga Nyathi – ZIFM
Outstanding Club DJ : DJ Mzoe
Outstanding Dance Ensemble : Geek Twins
Outstanding Female Dancer : Dorcas Ngwenya
Outstanding Male Dancer : Hebson Ncube
Outstanding Arts Journalist : Mthabisi Tshuma – The Chronicle
Outstanding Arts Photographer : Sadee LensWorks
Outstanding Online Media : Ekasi Magazine
Outstanding Theatre Actress : Musawenkosi Sibanda
Outstanding Theatre Actor : Cadrick Msongelwa
Outstanding Theatre Production : Bhalagwe Is Burning by Victory Siyanqoba
Outstanding Comedian : Zwe Hlabangana
Outstanding Poet : Desire Moyo
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction : All Come To Dust by Bryony Rheam
Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction : Our Food, Our Heritage, Our Culture by Makhosi Mahlangu
Outstanding Ndebele Literary Work : Ngubani Owabulalala uDube by Mihla Sitsha
Outstanding Fashion Designer/House : A Tribe Called Zimbabwe
Outstanding Model : Ben Chest
Outstanding Ambassador (worldwide) : Vusa Mkhaya
Outstanding TV Production/Programme : Mjolo FM – Byo Memes
Outstanding Short Film : Figure It Out – Nkosilesisa Ncube
Outstanding Film/TV Actress : Lee Mchoney – Wadiwa Wepamoyo
Outstanding Film/TV Actor : Leroy Mthulisi Ndlovu – Figure it Out
Life Achievement Award : Ebba Chitambo
People's Choice Award : Mai Mwamuka
Source BAA FB page #RoilBAA21
Until the awards statement are redefined, it is my personal view that they are not inclusive, multi-disciplinary arts awards that recognise and honour exceptional individuals and collaborative artistic efforts in the city of Bulawayo. However they are the best awards organized in the southern part of the country to date, stimulating conversations about the arts in Bulawayo. To get there, it will take everyone to come to the table.
For me it was good to be out again, and I am looking forward to reviewing, documenting and archiving Arts and Cultural events. Please note that I am writing in my personal capacity with a visual arts background (feel free to edit the text), people love that.
Cliford Zulu
Independent Curator
7 November 2021
