Langalakhe Mabena
Internationally acclaimed wheel spinner Nitefreak (Bheki Mabhena) and fast-rising Dancehall muso Fury Gun (Norest Muringa) has proven to be the most popular artistes from the city this year as they received five nominations each at this year’s prestigious Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (RoilBAA).
The nominees were revealed on 11 November, with the seventh edition of the awards slated for 25 November at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre.
Nitefreak, who is one of the few Zimbabwean DJs to have performed at Ibiza is nominated for Outstanding Club DJ, Outstanding Ambassador (Worldwide), Outstanding Kwaito/House/Gqom/AmaPiano Artiste/Act, Oustanding Song of the Year for Premier Gao Remix and for Outstanding Male Artiste of the Year.
Fury Gun who is the voice behind the hit Awukhuzeki, is nominated for Outstanding Alternative Music, Outstanding Newcomer of the Year, Outstanding Male Artiste of the Year, Outstanding Music Video of the Year (shot by Kwaitse Films) and Oustanding Song of the Year for Awukhuzeki.
United Kingdom-based songbird JoyRukanza and Noluntu J will clash on two categories, Outstanding Female Artiste of the year and Outstanding Hip Hop Arts.
Plumtree-based artistes Aphiwe and Sobancane who are new in the game received two nominations, for Outstanding New Comer of the Year and Outstanding Alternative Music.
Famous social media commentator Umnikazi Wempuphu took the city by surprise as he is nominated for Outstanding Comedian.
Here are the 2023 Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards Nominees.
Outstanding Arts Photographer.
1. ERN Photography
2. Kingshee Photos
3. Nikolgraphy
Outstanding Dance Ensemble.
1. Sekunjalo Ma Afrika
2. Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble
3. Simunye Simunye Arts
4. IYASA
Special Mention : Pumula Junction Dance Crew and Loxion Dance Crew.
Outstanding Female Dancer
1. Mandisa Maseko AKA Stormzw
2. Sasha Juliet Zulu
3. Faith S Dube – Ezimnyama
4. Christine Sibanda – Simunye Simunye
Outstanding Male Dancer.
1. Anele Sithole – IYASA
2. Tich Hero Chikara- Project See Me Dance Ensemble
3. Allen T Mahwehwe- Simunye Simunye
Outstanding Arts Theatre Actress.
1. Musawenkosi Sibanda – Simunye
2. Charmaine Mudau – Simunye
3. Bonakele Agnes Ncube – 3 Sum
Special Mention : Lady Tshawe.
Outstanding Theatre Actor.
1. Zenzo Nyathi – Act of Man
2. Mzingaye Ngwabi – 3 Sum
3. Ishmael Muvingi- Bayethe Nksoi
4. Bruce Mutero -Simunye
Outstanding Theatre Production.
1. Simunye By Indlovu Theatre
2. An Act of Man By Zenzo Nyathi
3. Bayethe Nkosi By Umkhathi Theatre works
Special Mention : How is the Weather by IYASA & Theatre Strahl Germany. Centre For Talent Development & Thabani H. Moyo.
Outstanding Comedian
1. Mbongeni Ignatious
2. Dalu The Comedian
3. Umnikazi Wempuphu
4. Mahlalela Mahlalela
Special Mention comedy skit comedians and other comedians on social media platforms for holding fort while stand up had been stagnant.
Outstanding Poet
1. Chioniso Tsikisayi
2. Thaluso The Poet
3. DR. Gasolo
4. Poet Lethu
Outstanding Literary Work English
1. The Misfit By Ayanda Moyo
2. Whatever Happened to Rick Astley By Bryony Rheam
3. The Deliliah Protocol – Robert Mukondiwa
4. Magic and Masala By Violette Kee- Tui
5. – A Colonial Boy: Sketches of my life Before Zimbabwean Independence By John Eppel
Outstanding Ndebele Literary Work.
1. Lingacitshi Ikhandlela by Emmanuel Moyo
2. Kumnyama By Witness Timothy Hadebe
3. Impilo le By Pretty Ndlovu
4. Ukhethiwe By Zibusiso Condry Mabonisa
Outstanding Arts Journalist
1. Mkhululi Ncube – The Chronicle
2. Mbulelo Mpofu – The Chronicle
3. Langalakhe Mabena – BMetro
4. Mpumelelo Moyo – Newsday
5. Mkhokheli Kabane Zibengwa – BANO
Outstanding Online Media.
1. DAB Three – Enkundleni Exclusive Podcast
2. Bulawayo Arts News Online
3. Creatives Magazine
Outstanding Radio DJ.
1. GabsFire – Skyz Metro FM
2. Taboka Nleya – Skyz Metro FM
3. Noxy Diva – ZIFM
4. Leonard Umfumdisi – Khulumanj FM
Outstanding Club DJ.
1. Nitefreak
2. Kead Wicked
3. DJ Sida
4. Nizhe De Soul
Outstanding Fashion Designer House.
1. Sanah Designs
2. Scarless By Bernard
3. Ganu
Outstanding Model.
1. Francisco Kampira
2. Stacey Hall
3. Jemimwa Mandemwa
4. Amanda Peresu Moyo
5. Liberty Malala
Outstanding Ambassador (Worldwide)
1. QDube
2. NiteFreak
3. Sisasenkosi
Outstanding Hip Hop Artist / Act.
1. Mlue Jay
2. Killemol
3. Noluntu J
4. Brucella
5. Lamaz
6. Joy Rukanza
Outstanding Kwaito/House/Gqom/Amapiano Artist
1. Mzistozz Mfanafuthi
2. Nitefreak
3. Sisasenkosi
Outstanding Alternative Music.
1. Ma9Nine
2. Fish F Ndaramu
3. Fab G Mshanakagogo
4. Aphiwe and Sobancane
5. Fury Gun
6. Calvin Mangena
7. Abigail Mabuza
Special Mention: Jeys Marabini
Outstanding Gospel Artist/ Act.
1. Vusa Mangena
2. Pastor Barack
3. Everton Mlalazi
4. Snowy
Outstanding Imbube/Acapella.
1. Great Stars Ijongosi
2. Amaqaqa
3. Black Umfolosi
4. Ubuntu Bomuntu
Outstanding “Ma Eli” Tshibilika/Rhumba Act.
1. Insimbi ZeZhwane
2. Amathonga Amahle
3. Godolude
4. Madlela
5. Clement Magwaza
Outstanding Music Video.
1. Noluntu J – Ghost
2. Calvin Mangena – Ihulumende
3. Da Kudu – Kiss Dilika
4. Fury Gun – Awukhuzeki
Outstanding Music Producer.
1. DJ Jabs
2. Black Orient
3. Godwin Smallz
4. Nashville
Outstanding Song of the Year.
1. Insimbi ZeZhwane- GPS
2. Sandra Sibanda – Cwebezela
3. Mandie Mae – Lifestyle
4. Amany – Novuyo
5. NiteFreak – Premier Gao Remix
6. Calvin Mangena – Ihulumende
7. Fury Gun – Awukhuzeki
Outstanding TV Production/ Program.
1. Madlela Comes Home
2. High School Diaries
3. I wear my Culture
3. My name is my name
4. Quack the Duck
Special Mention: Hidden Within by Daniel Lasker.
Outstanding Female Actress.
1. Sithandazile Dube – Madlela Comes Home
2. Florence Sithole – ihlazo
3. Nonduduzo Ncube – Usendo/Maliwe
Outstanding Male Actor.
1. Madlela – Madlela Comes Home
2. Alex Marowa – High School Diaries
3. Ashley Nkosikhona Mpofu – Ihlazo
Outstanding Newcomer.
1. Da Kudu
2. Aphiwe and Sobancane
3. Fury Gun
3. Albinism Connect Band
4. Bhila
Outstanding Male Artiste.
1. NiteFreak
2. MJ Sings
3. Fury Gun
4. Mzistozz Mfanafuthi
5. Fab G Mshanakagogo
6. Calvin Mangena
Outstanding Female Artiste.
1. Noluntu J
2. Joy Rukanza
3. Charmaine Mudau
4. Mandie Mae
