The Bulawayo Arts Awards organisers have unveiled the nominees for the 8th edition of this year’s ceremony, scheduled to take place in December in Bulawayo. The announcement was made on October 31st, in a special tribute to celebrate the heroes and icons of the city’s arts industry.

The organisers paid homage to the significant contributions made by Sihlangu Dlodlo, Phathisa Nyathi, Ishmael Muvingu, Babongile Sikhonjwa, and Desire Moyoxide, whose legacies will live on through the awards categories named in their honour. These categories include the Phathisa Nyathi-Outstanding Literary Work, Qhube Outstanding Theatre Production, Moyoxide Outstanding Poet, and Babongile Sikhonjwa Outstanding Radio, among others.

Notably, a new category, Outstanding Online Content Creator, has been added to this year’s awards, recognising the growing influence of digital media in the arts. Some of the talented nominees in this category include Chik A ijoy Africab Comedy, Madlela Skhobokhobo, Sipho Nyathi, and Umnikazi We mpuphu.

The Bulawayo Arts Awards celebrate and acknowledge the outstanding work of artists in various fields, and this year’s ceremony promises to be an exciting celebration of the city’s rich cultural heritage. With a stellar lineup of nominees, the event is set to be a memorable tribute to the city’s arts icons and a showcase of the best of Bulawayo’s creative talent.

NOMINEES ARE:

1. Outstanding Arts Photographer

• Sadee Lensworks
• Elliot Moyo
• Khanya Media

2. “Litshe” Outstanding Dance Ensemble

• No Name Dance Crew
• Khaya Arts
• Imvimbi Arts
• Phezhuba Pachena
• Simunye Simunye

3. Outstanding Female Dancer

• Lindokuhle Hadebe – Khaya Arts
• Albertina Manombe – Simunye Simunye
• Christine Sibanda – Simunye Simunye

4. Outstanding Male Dancer

• Lindelani Calisto Mafu – Jabulani Arts
• Fidelis Tshuma – Umkhathi Theatre Works
• Blessing Bhila – Khaya Arts
• Allen Mahwehwe – Simunye Simunye

5. Outstanding Theatre Actress

• Praise Ncube – Ipi Intombi
• Memory Zikhali – Grand Taimaz
• Nomvelo Behane – Without a State

6. Outstanding Theatre Actor

• Julian Tshuma – Grand Taimaz
• Josphat Ndlovu – Without a State
• Richard Masuku – Grand Taimaz

7. “Qhube” Outstanding Theatre Production

• Ipi Ntombi – Bulawayo Theatre
• Grand Taimaz – Umthombo Arts
• Without a State – Bambelela Arts Ensemble

8. Outstanding Comedian

• Mbongeni Ignatious
• General Lesley
• Frank Chirisa
• D’Jun

9. Outstanding Online Content Creators

• Umnikazi Wempuphu
• Madlela Skhobokhobo
• Chik Aljoy
• Sipho Mercent Nyathi

10. “Moyoxide” Outstanding Poet

• We Create Afrika
• Thaluso Da Poet
• Um’Africakazi
• Sonkomose

11. “Pathisa Nyathi” Outstanding Literary Work

• Testament of Black Jesus – Philani A. Nyoni
• Living Memories – Erica Gwetai
• I Know Why Teeth Were Made White – Busani Ncube
• My Affair with Misfortune – Sipho Mpofu

12. Outstanding Arts Journalist (All Media)

• Lisa Masuku-Kurira – ZBC
• Mbulelo Mpofu – Zimpapers
• Langalakhe Mabhena – Zimpapers
• Mthabisi Tshuma – Zimpapers

13. Outstanding Online Media

• Dab Three Events
• Zimpapers Online
• Earground

14. “Babongile Sikhonjwa” Outstanding Radio DJ

• Mjox – Skyz Metro FM
• Becky K – Capitalk
• Leonard Ncube (Umfundisi) – Khulumani FM
• Miss T – Power FM

15. Outstanding Club DJ

• Kotwane Hikwa
• Sifiso
• DJ Nospa
• DJ Mzoe

16. Outstanding Fashion Designer / House

• Ncominkosi Sibanda – Ncoma Style Lab
• Brightman Dlamini – Tocar Narrations
• Sibusisiwe Falala – SLF Apparels
• Indwangu by Mthobie

17. Outstanding Model

• Nomqhele Sisa Nkomo
• Farai Mqondisi Sibanda
• Calton Mduduzi Ndlovu
• Liam Hall
• Sakhile Dube

18. Outstanding Ambassador (Worldwide)

• Q Dube
• Nitefreak
• Everton Mlalazi

19. Outstanding Hip Hop Artist / Act

• Mlue Jay
• Luchi Shiki
• Noluntu J
• Boy Nino
• Tee X Tekie

20. Outstanding Kwaito / House / Gqom / Amapiano Artist / Act

• La Dee
• MJ Sings
• Jaycee
• Calvin Mangena

21. Outstanding Alternative Music

• Ma9Nine
• Asante Mo
• Bhila
• Matojeni Melo Maniacs
• Abigail Mabuza
• Bhekiwe
• Dziba Lemvula

22. Outstanding Gospel Artist / Act

• Vusa Mangena
• Snowy
• Harvest House Music

23. Outstanding Imbube / Acapella Group / Act

• Great Stars Ijongosi
• Amaqaqa
• Amanculo Enjabulo

24. Outstanding Tshibilika / Rhumba Act

• Amathonga Amahle
• Godolude
• Mxolisi “Mr Bones”

25. Outstanding Music Producer

• DJ Jabs
• Godwin Smallz
• Nashville
• Murphy Cubic
• Just Percy

26. Outstanding Music Video

• La Dee & Kaykid Umfanomsotho – Umanqondana Wami
• Harvest House Music – Revival Party
• Mzoe 7 feat. Thandy Dhlana & La Dee – Amalanga Awafani
• Calvin Mangena – Sukuma
• Tsungai Tsikirai feat. IYASA – Ezintabeni

27. Outstanding Song of the Year

• Mxolisi “Mr Bones” – Bangihlangabeze Ngekhesi
• Amathonga Amahle – Soft Life
• Jayvee – Ungayithi Vuu
• Bhila feat. Kaykid Umfanomsotho – Emaweni
• Black Diva – Thilo Lilo

28. Outstanding TV Production / Programme

• A Trap of Trade
• Freedom Comes Dancing
• Village 4

29. Outstanding Film / TV Actress

• Sasha Juliet Zulu – Freedom Comes Dancing
• Celesile Mpofu – Inkaba
• Lindiwe Mlazie – Umhlolo Wase Zhwane

30. Outstanding Film / TV Actor

• Sikhanyiso Ngwenya – Rise
• Lindelani Calisto Mafu – Freedom Comes Dancing
• Percy Soko – Village 4
• Ronald Stone – A Trap of Trade

31. Newcomer of the Year (All Genres)

• General Lesley
• Black Diva
• Kaykid Umfanomsotho
• Khizolamak
• We Create
• Band of Misfits
• Dziba Lemvula

32. Outstanding Male Artiste of the Year

• Mzoe 7
• MJ Sings
• Mxolisi “Mr Bones”
• Fab G Mshanakagogo
• Ma9Nine

33. Outstanding Female Artiste of the Year

• Noluntu J
• Um’Africakazi
• Chioniso Tshikirayi
• Abigail Mabuza

34. Lifetime Achievement Award

• To be announced on the night

35. People’s Choice Award (All Genres)

• To be shortlisted after voting