The countdown to the 8th edition of the Bulawayo Arts Awards has officially begun. The prestigious event, set to take place on December 20, 2025, at ZITF Hall 3, promises to be a spectacular celebration of artistic excellence.
By Trevor Mawaka
This year’s nominees are a testament to the vibrant and diverse arts scene in Bulawayo. Simunye Simunye leads the pack with four nominations, followed closely by Khaya Arts and Mxolisi “Mr Bones” with three nods each. Other notable nominees include La Dee, Bhila, Kaykid Umfanomsotho, and Mzoe 7, among others.
The awards ceremony will also honor the contributions of five iconic figures in the arts industry. Special awards have been named after Sihlangu Dlodlo, Pathisa Nyathi, Ishmael Muvingi, Babongile Sikhonjwa, and Desire Moyoxide, in recognition of their legacy and impact on the arts.
The “Litshe” Outstanding Dance Ensemble Award will be presented in honor of Ishmael Muvingi, while the “Moyoxide” Outstanding Poet Award will recognize excellence in poetry. The “Pathisa Nyathi” Outstanding Literary Work Award will celebrate remarkable literary achievements, and the “Babongile Sikhonjwa” Outstanding Radio DJ Award will honor excellence in radio broadcasting. The “Qhube” Outstanding Theatre Production Awardwill be presented in memory of Sihlangu Dlodlo.
The awards night promises to be an unforgettable experience filled with performances, awards, and a grand celebration of the arts. The Lifetime Achievement Award and the People’s Choice Award will also be announced on the night.
Mark your calendars for December 20, 2025, and get ready to celebrate the very best of Bulawayo’s arts scene!
2025 BULAWAYO ARTS AWARDS – FULL NOMINEES LIST
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OUTSTANDING ARTS PHOTOGRAPHER
• Sadee Lensworks
• Elliot Moyo
• Khanya Media
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“LITSHE” OUTSTANDING DANCE ENSEMBLE
• No Name Dance Crew
• Khaya Arts
• Imvimbi Arts
• Phezhuba Pachena
• Simunye Simunye
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OUTSTANDING FEMALE DANCER
• Lindokuhle Hadebe – Khaya Arts
• Albertina Manombe – Simunye Simunye
• Christine Sibanda – Simunye Simunye
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OUTSTANDING MALE DANCER
• Lindelani Calisto Mafu – Jabulani Arts
• Fidelis Tshuma – Umkhathi Theatre Works
• Blessing Bhila – Khaya Arts
• Allen Mahwehwe – Simunye Simunye
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OUTSTANDING THEATRE ACTRESS
• Praise Ncube – Ipi Intombi
• Memory Zikhali – Grand Taimaz
• Nomvelo Behane – Without A State
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OUTSTANDING THEATRE ACTOR
• Julian Tshuma – Grand Taimaz
• Josphat Ndlovu – Without A State
• Richard Masuku – Grand Taimaz
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“QHUBE” OUTSTANDING THEATRE PRODUCTION
• Ipi Ntombi – Bulawayo Theatre
• Grand Taimaz – Umthombo Arts
• Without A State – Bambelela Arts Ensemble
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OUTSTANDING COMEDIAN
• Mbongeni Ignatious
• General Lesley
• Frank Chirisa
• D’Jun
⸻
OUTSTANDING ONLINE CONTENT CREATORS
• Umnikazi Wempuphu
• Madlela Skhobokhobo
• Chik Aljoy
• Sipho Mercent Nyathi
⸻
“MOYOXIDE” OUTSTANDING POET
• We Create Afrika
• Thaluso Da Poet
• Um’Africakazi
• Sonkomose
⸻
“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
⸻
OUTSTANDING ARTS JOURNALIST (All Media)
• Lisa Masuku-Kurira – ZBC
• Mbulelo Mpofu – Zimpapers
• Langalakhe Mabhena – Zimpapers
• Mthabisi Tshuma – Zimpapers
⸻
OUTSTANDING ONLINE MEDIA
• Dab Three Events
• Zimpapers Online
• earGROUND
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“BABONGILE SIKHONJWA” OUTSTANDING RADIO DJ
• Mjox – Skyz Metro FM
• Becky K – Capitalk FM
• Leonard Ncube (Umfundisi) – Khulumani FM
• Miss T – Power FM
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OUTSTANDING CLUB DJ
• Kotwane Hikwa
• Sifiso
• DJ Nospa
• DJ Mzoe
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OUTSTANDING FASHION DESIGNER / HOUSE
• Ncominkosi Sibanda – Ncoma Style Lab
• Brightman Dlamini – Tocar Narrations
• Sibusisiwe Falala – SLF Apparels
• Indwangu by Mthobie
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OUTSTANDING MODEL
• Nomqhele Sisa Nkomo
• Farai Mqondisi Sibanda
• Calton Mduduzi Ndlovu
• Liam Hall
• Sakhile Dube
⸻
OUTSTANDING AMBASSADOR (Worldwide)
• Q Dube
• Nitefreak
• Everton Mlalazi
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OUTSTANDING HIP HOP ARTIST / ACT
• Mlue Jay
• Luchi Shiki
• Noluntu J
• Boy Nino
• Tee X Tekie
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OUTSTANDING KWAITO / HOUSE / GQOM / AMAPIANO ARTIST / ACT
• La Dee
• MJ Sings
• Jaycee
• Calvin Mangena
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OUTSTANDING ALTERNATIVE MUSIC
• Ma9Nine
• Asante Mo
• Bhila
• Matojeni Melo Maniacs
• Abigail Mabuza
• Bhekiwe
• Dziba Lemvula
⸻
OUTSTANDING GOSPEL ARTIST / ACT
• Vusa Mangena
• Snowy
• Harvest House Music
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OUTSTANDING IMBUBE / ACAPELLA GROUP / ACT
• Great Stars Ijongosi
• Amaqaqa
• Amanculo Enjabulo
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OUTSTANDING TSHIBILIKA / RHUMBA ACT
• Amathonga Amahle
• Godolude
• Mxolisi “Mr Bones”
⸻
OUTSTANDING MUSIC PRODUCER
• DJ Jabs
• Godwin Smallz
• Nashville
• Murphy Cubic
• Just Percy
⸻
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
⸻
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
⸻
OUTSTANDING TV PRODUCTION / PROGRAMME
• A Trap of Trade
• Freedom Comes Dancing
• Village 4
⸻
OUTSTANDING FILM / TV ACTRESS
• Sasha Juliet Zulu – Freedom Comes Dancing
• Celesile Mpofu – Inkaba
• Lindiwe Mlazie – Umhlolo Wase Zhwane
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OUTSTANDING FILM / TV ACTOR
• Sikhanyiso Ngwenya – Rise
• Lindelani Calisto Mafu – Freedom Comes Dancing
• Percy Soko – Village 4
• Ronald Stone – A Trap of Trade
⸻
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR (All Genres)
• General Lesley
• Black Diva
• Kaykid Umfanomsotho
• Khizolamak
• We Create
• Band of Misfits
• Dziba Lemvula
⸻
OUTSTANDING MALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
• Mzoe 7
• MJ Sings
• Mxolisi “Mr Bones”
• Fab G Mshanakagogo
• Ma9Nine
⸻
OUTSTANDING FEMALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
• Noluntu J
• Um’Africakazi
• Chioniso Tshikirayi
• Abigail Mabuza
⸻
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
To be announced on the night
⸻
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD (All Genres)
To be shortlisted after voting
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