The Sunday News
Sibongile Ndiweni, Sunday Life Reporter
WHEN the history of his career is written, 2022 will be remembered as the year when Msiz’kay’s dedication to his craft was finally rewarded.
This is because the much loved musician walked away with the prize of a fully serviced residential stand at the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (RBAAs) that were held on Christmas Eve. The RBAAs sixth edition held at the Large City Hall, gave a life changing award to Msiz’kay, as he ended the night with the real promise of a home, something that only a few young artistes can boast of.
Musician, Mzoe 7 scooped the Outstanding Male Artiste of the Year gong at the ROIL Bulawayo Arts Awards on 24 December, where he paid tribute to his followers for their continued support, vowing that he will continue dishing out hit tracks
For those that have watched Msiz’kay toil in 2022, or even the years before when he won the Best Male Artiste award, this is just reward for a man whose work ethic is rivalled only by his ability to compose impressively cohesive bodies of music.
TCI International donated the fully serviced residential stand, situated in the Emganwini, which was awarded to the winner in the People’s Choice category. It is fitting that his most significant reward in the arts came in the category voted for by the people, as it perhaps finally crowns him as the most beloved and recognised among the crop of young artistes emerging in Bulawayo. In an interview with Sunday Life, Msizkay expressed how honoured by the people’s wish to bestow such a gift on him.
“I feel honoured, I feel humbled, in fact I am out of words. This is an award that is voted for by the people and it is such a great honour to know that people appreciate my music,” said Msiz’kay.
The year 2022 has brought nothing but good fortune for Msiz’kay through his talent, love for music and hard work as he continued making a name for himself in the entertainment industry.
During the RBAAs, not only did he win a fully serviced residential stand but he also grabbed the song of the year award in which he featured the amazingly talented Bhekiwe on their song Kulula. Msiz’kay said that music is a viable career and that his wins will definitely inspire the younger and upcoming artistes.
He said he would like to encourage all upcoming artistes to be original and to give the people an honest expression of who they are, as in the end that would propel them to greater heights. While some artistes might be tempted to sit on their laurels after such an achievement, Msiz’kay has already started lining up his 2023 goals as he aims to go even bigger next year.
“The next step is to keep working on the music and building the brand Msiz’kay. There is more music on the way, and I will also be doing so much more outside of music and arts. We are headed for exciting times,” he said.
In congratulating Msiz’kay, one of the organisers of the awards, Nkululeko Nkala said this was evidence to all upcoming artistes that the sector was a business and had its rewards for everyone who works hard.
“Msiz’kay is one of the hardest working artistes in Bulawayo and as ROIL BAA we are happy for him. This should show all artistes out there the benefits of putting your all into what you do. Just look at this way, Msiz’kay is certainly a different person than he was a few weeks back as he is now a home owner. Further, with partners like TCI international, who are playing a major role in changing the lives of artistes in the region, we are confident that there is hope for the sector,” said Nkala.
TCI International managing director, Chris Mtungwazi, said as a company they were excited to work with the awards, paying tribute to United Refineries through their Roil brand for their continued support of the awards over the years.
“It’s really encouraging to see such companies as Roil coming in to support the arts sector, which is the reason as TCI International, we decided to play our role by sponsoring the People’s choice award. As a company our thrust is housing delivery for all and our artistes are part of our community and deserve a roof over their heads hence this award. We are especially happy for Msiz’kay and have already started the paperwork to hand over the stand and within the next few days the fully serviced stand will be officially be under his name,” said Mtungwazi, who on the awards night was also celebrating his 52nd birthday.
