The Bulawayo arts community is mourning the death of Stanford Bayana, a dancer and drummer with Sekunjalo Ma Africa Arts.

Bayana was a familiar face within the Bulawayo based traditional arts group and played his part in its journey, including its successes at the National Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival.

For those who shared the stage with him, his contribution went beyond performances. Through dance and drumming, Bayana was part of a group of young artists keeping traditional Zimbabwean culture alive and passing it on through performance.

News of his death has brought messages of grief from fellow artists and cultural groups.
Ezimnyama Dance Group described the loss as one felt across the creative community.

“The creative family has lost one of its own,” the group said in a condolence message.

While multi award winning Iyasa also paid tribute to Bayana on social media, describing him as a dancer, drummer and committed custodian of Zimbabwean culture.

“Some people leave behind memories. Others leave behind a legacy,” Iyasa said.

The messages also pointed to Bayana’s age, with fellow artist Raisedon Baya mourning the loss of a young life.

“Stanford Bayana you were too young to go,”

Icon Baya wrote, remembering the struggles Bayana faced during his life.
His death leaves a gap in Sekunjalo Ma Africa and in a Bulawayo arts community that continues to rely on young performers to carry traditional dance, music and storytelling forward.