By Brighton Ncube -My Bulawayo news reporter
For many years Bulawayo arts has produced the best as far asart is concerned in Zimbabwe yet many artists have felt sidelined and left behind in the national awards.15th March 2017 will foerver be a memorable day for many people in the arts industry as the Bulawayo Arts Awards were launched at Bulawayo club. Steering the Bulawayo Arts Awards organisers include Nkue Nkala, Reason Sibanda, Saimon Mambazo and Raisedon Baya.
For many artists coming from Bulawayo , they believe the ground is not level as far as awarding artists is concerned at a national level. People from different fields in Bulawayo gathered together to witness this momentus occassion that will change the face of Bulawayo talent and the art industry. In attendance was the President of the CZI and Chief Executive officer of United Refineries Mr Busisa Moyo, Historian,author Pathisa Nyathi, Skyzmetro fm Chief executive officer Dr Qhubani Moyo. In the arts industry some notable guests in attendance were the award winning MC, News anchor, television host Arthur C Evans, Actress cum business woman Sarah Mpofu , Jeys Marabini, Ingoma hitmaker Sandra Ndebele as well as Mzoe 7.
The united Refineries which is well known for its Roil cooking oil and soaps will be sponsoring the female category of the Bulawayo Arts Awards, where as Groove entertainment will be sponsor with the shields for the winning legends. Velocity Company will be sponsoring studio time for musician categories, Glitz arts pegged to assist with $300 to the school arts category, Announcing the categories for the #BAAzw Saimon Mambazo highlighted the need to incoporate schools which are excelling in Bulawayo in these awards. ” there is a category for schools which are doing well in the Arts sector, we have the best Art teacher category and the best school art category which will be separate from the main awards”
Speaking at the awards launch one of the organisers Nkue Nkala highlited the need for this platform and to honour art in Bulawayo and the need for such a platform for Bulawayo arts, he said the awards were not meant to counter any awards or any forms of recognition the Bulawayo artists have been receiving but are meant to compliment what Bulawayo Art has already have. “The awards no no race, no colour as they are based on the cosmopolitan city, the awards are being curated to honor legends in the Arts from the Matebeleland region”
The inagural edition of the Bulawayo Arts Awards will be held on the 30th of June 2017 at the Large city Hall and teh people of Bulawayo have been encouraged to support this initiative,
The nomination forms have been availed online on the Bulawayo arts awards website as well as some places around the city with 25% by popular votes and 75%coming from the judges. 37 awards are up for grabs with a lot of prizes to be won,Nominations will be open from February till 15May and everyone is encouraged to participate and make these awards a success.
@Iambeefactor94 #mybulawayo #BAAzw
