Raisedon Baya
EVER since the announcement of the Bulawayo Arts Awards nominees on 3 June at Glen Lodge the city has been on cloud nine. There has been so much noise and excitement about the awards, with nominees taking to social media to announce their nominations and solicit for public votes, critics baying for blood. The hype went overdrive with many citizens of the city jumping on the bandwagon, shouting loudest about the awards.
More surprising were people and organisations that had initially ignored the idea, some even rubbished it, suddenly sitting up, wondering what animal had been born and why they were not part of it.
As usual people outside Bulawayo started accusing the awards of being divisive and tribal — something very far-fetched and meant only to derail Bulawayo celebrating its own achievers in the arts and entertainment sector. These critics we never took them seriously.
From the onset the Bulawayo Arts Awards have said their objectives are simple and clearly to recognise, honour and celebrate local talent and efforts. Take stock of arts and culture activities in the city and its surrounding areas affirm Bulawayo’s status as the cultural capital of the country.
Obviously there is nothing in those objectives that sound divisive or tribal — unless if my understanding of the queen’s language is not as good as I believe it to be. There is also nothing in those objectives that says other cities or provinces cannot do the same.
The real drive behind the Bulawayo Arts Awards is the need by the Bulawayo arts community to celebrate its own in the hope that it will galvanise grassroots artistes to do better and fly Bulawayo’s flag higher. The Bulawayo Arts Awards must be able to influence the participation of Bulawayo on national awards in the near future.
Personally, I’m excited about the awards for three reasons. Firstly, they have allowed Bulawayo as a city to finally and publicly support its own sons and daughters — something our artistes have always been crying for. Secondly, the awards have proven that there are individuals out there who don’t have thousands of dollars but are willing to support local initiatives with the little they have. Individuals that believe so much in Bulawayo prospering against all odds. While fundraising for the awards I was pleasantly surprised when the likes of Zenzo Nyathi, Nodumo Nyathi, Albert Nyathi, Julian Tshuma, Desire Moyo, Bruno Ashley, Vusa Mkhaya and many others came forward and offered their support. All they kept saying was ‘‘this is our thing we are here to support’’. To think we had been postposing this idea since 2008 because we felt we would not get enough support from Bulawayo.
There are also Bulawayo businesses that, in the middle of the economic challenges the city and country are going through, continue to support local initiatives. I wish there was a way the arts community could pay back this trust and belief from these businesses.
Lastly, I see the awards ceremony next Friday as a social event, a celebration of the coming together of Bulawayo, a nice, clean excuse of dressing up and showing off, especially for the ladies. I believe come Friday we are going to see not only the best talent this city has to offer but its beauty as well. So the question now is: Where will you be next Friday and what will you be wearing?
I want to end this article on a sad but celebratory note. Last week the nation lost a hero in Cde Chinx. There were a lot of calls about declaring Cde Chinx a national hero, however, the powers that be ended up declaring him a Liberation War Hero. All we can say is Rest in Peace Cde Chinx. You used your art to fight for our liberation. Thank You.