ROILBAA DONE, THANK YOU BULAWAYO FOR THE SUPPORT

By Raisedon Baya

Now that the RoilBAAs are done it’s time to look forward to the next project. However, a little bit of reflection and thanks giving is necessary. The RoilBAAs proved once again that faith can move mountains. The journey to this year’s awards was a charmed one. It was more of a miracle than anything. Everyday felt like walking on water. 

First, we started on zero and had a crazy budget of over $50 000. When we announced the budget some “social media experts” laughed and called us crazy. We were told we were being overly ambitious. The good part is the awards has a team of believers and hustlers – the six of us ran in our different directions, pitching, hunting, begging, negotiating all in an effort make the awards happen the way we wanted. 

Our idea from the beginning was that we should try as much as possible to let Bulawayo support the awards from all directions and across the board. We believe that the wider the base of support the more sustainable the awards will be. So there we were, in people’s faces, in their emails, inboxes, DMs, all trying to raise the $50 000 needed to make the awards bigger and better than the inaugural edition. 

In our current economy fundraising is one of the most difficult things to do. But someone has to do it. Knock on people’s doors, email, DMs, inbox, meetings. Anything and everything. Three months to the awards and we had raised less than a tenth of the budget. We were looking failure in the eyes and very scared. You can imagine the nights and even the mornings – they were unbearably uncomfortable. I know as individuals there were moments we all considered the prospect of calling off the awards. 

But we believed. We believed and continued to push until Busisa Moyo and his United Refineries Limited jumped on board and announced they were taking the title sponsorship under their Roil brand. With United Refineries’ announcement we all breathed easily, slept peacefully as we were now certain the 2018 awards would take place. The beauty of the United Refineries deal was that it was genuine and had no unreasonable strings attached. From the onset United Refineries understood it was an arts event meant to celebrate local talent and arts achievers. All they said was we hope to push our products too while celebrating Bulawayo arts. And that arrangement worked well for both parties. 

 
 


The coming in of United Refineries gave the awards committee a serious boost. It put hairs on our chest, and our walk changed. Other corporates heard what we were about and expressed interest. They jumped on board. The likes of Netone, Fortwell, ZOL, PROTON BREAD,CITE, Sunday News, BoomCity, ZITF, Longrich, ZBCtv and many others. Never in the history of arts in Bulawayo have so many corporates been interested in an arts event. So we take this time to thank all the corporates that jumped on board and made the awards a success. Thank you for the belief, for the trust and for supporting Bulawayo. Thank you to individuals like Nodumo Nyathi, Vusa Mkaya, and others that supported in cash and kind. 
On behalf of the committee thank you to artists. All artists with a connection to Bulawayo. Thank you to all who believed from the beginning, and even those who didn’t. Thank you to all artists who submitted works for nomination. Thank you to all nominees. Thank you for your patience and for dressing up for the event. Your hard work made the running all over the city worth it. Thank you to the winners too. Keep Bulawayo’s flag high. 
Thank you to Bulawayo residents. You heard the call and responded. You came, paid and dressed up. You made the event what it was. A resounding success. There is always talk that Bulawayo rarely supports her own but you proved otherwise. You came in full force. Thank you to the media, to all social media activists who screamed RoilBAA everyday. 2018 is done. Let’s do it again, on a bigger scale, in 2019.

10 Questions with Nkululeko Dube, The-So Called Mafia

By Nqobile Mafu

Comedian Carl Joshua Ncube abruptly brought the Bulawayo arts scene down from the high of hosting the recently held Bulawayo Arts Awards when he suggested that there was a clique of arts practitioners that were holding the city’s arts scene to ransom. Ncube, speaking in a Facebook discussion interview with Iyasa founder Nkululeko Dube, said that there were eight people that acted as if they were mafia dons, creating the impression that the Bulawayo arts scene was their private playground. Ngiyesbanews interviewed Nkululeko Dube who's currently on tour in Europe.

1. Ngiyesabanews: Pliz can yu tell me a bit about yourself and your background?
Dube: I am the director and founder of Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts ( IYASA). I hail from Plumtree and started arts at a tender schooling age at Mzingwane High School and through my university and college education. I am greatly inspired by South African arts guru Mbongeni Ngema of the Sarafina fame. I am a father to, 2 lovely boys Mbongeni Dube and Vuyolethu Dube.

2. Ngiyesabanews: I understand you where in Mpopoma High before you became the Director of Iyasa;can you describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
Dube: Well my involvement in the arts was a process rather than instant. I worked a lot at school with colleagues like Babongile Skhonjwa ( Skyzz Metro). I would also say Mbongeni Ngema had a huge influence in my life. I was also mentored by a lot of insipirational people like Cont Mhlanga, Albert Nyathi, Sihlangu Dlodlo, Nomadlozi Kubheka, Styxx Mhlanga among others. Working with the Mpopoma High School drama club that took the country by storm further catapulted my vision. I know a lot of people refer to the political controversy l got stuck in as a part of it but that was just a hiccup that propelled me from a comfort zone into the wilderness. It was the time l decided to go professional.

3. Ngiyesabanews: Explain what you do in 50 words?
Dube: l mentor young artists in music, dance, Theatre, poetry and various other genres. I then provide and find platforms for them to showcase their talents locally and internationally. I nurture unknown fresh and upcoming talent hence the reference to being a school of arts. I also work with schools in developing arts.I train and guide young artists in their journey into becoming ultimately big. For examples Sandra Ndebele, Futurelove Sibanda, Nkwali, DJ Prince, Silethemba and Pepsi Magonya, Tsungai Tsikirai, Michelle Msopero and many more are there to validate our efforts.


4. Ngiyesabanews: As a family man since you are always on tour,how do yo accommodate your family time?
Dube: I spend half of the year at home and half of the year abroad. My partner she's an administrator in the arts so we spend a lot of time together, sometimes they travel with me.

5. Ngiyesabanews: kkkkkkk, Dube baba, can you tell me, about the Mafia Saga as you are on the top of the list?

Dube: Hahahaha! So the list is out? And I am top of it? That is news to me. What l have seen is speculation in various platforms including the press and yes my name has been mentioned. Well, we live in a democratic era . If you ask me the mafia is a product of fertile imagination. To me the names thrown around are names of people that are doing good things in the name of arts and for the city. We should celebrate them. Yes I work with all of them. It is strange that when we all worked divided and in our corners people said it was the reason for our lack of progress. Now we bring our efforts together, create synergies, again we are accused of being in the mafia. I focus on what l do. I have no time to stop others from progressing their dreams. My conscience is clear on that one. Surely l can not dismiss those that a complaining totally. Yes maybe someone, somewhere has used dirty tactics against their efforts; but to say there is an organized mafia designed to do that in the city is a total exaggeration. After all half of the year l am out of the country. If claim is l am part of a mafia,I can safely tell you that is a figmentation of reality because l have never been in any meeting or any plan plotting the downfall of anybody. That defeats my purpose in the arts which is to promote upcoming talent.

6. Ngiyesabanews: Before you where the big five, now the number has escalated to eight,the empire is growing and now you are labelled as the Mafia, tell me more about this Mafia Saga?
Dube: Is it not strange that the same people who were named the Big five are again named the mafia. I am not the best person to explain what this is all about but Carl Joshua Ncube the comedian made the suggestion in an interview l had with him on a social media platform. Honestly to me it shows that l am relevant to the arts scene. I would worry if l had any sinister intentions. I help a lot of young artists and to me if they are content all these claims are baseless and won’t deter me. l help, mentor and sponsor. That is not the essence of why l help them.

7. Ngiyesabanews: Is it possible to give me the list kkkk?

Dube: Unfortunately l am not the source and neither do l believe in it.

8. Ngiyesabanews: What has been your biggest challenge as an artist?
Dube: I could write a book on this. I have challenges everyday. We operate in a not so ideal arts sector compared to other developed countries. That means we need to treble our efforts to be seen, to be valued. Many of my challenges are born from that. Resources. Policies that are almost non existent. Above all working with young people is a challenge on its own.

9. Ngiyesabanews: How do you feel about the internet in the arts business?
Dube: The internet has brought the world to our doorsteps. It is easier to connect to sell to be relevant but again only if we put it to good use. Most of us spend time using it as a battlefield rather than a platform for business.

10. Ngiyesabanews: What changes would you like to see to the arts industry and what advice do you have for young upcoming artist?
Dube: We live in an era where Talent is no longer adequate to make it to the top. I would love to see young artists develop themselves and not only rely on Talent. I also hope our country can come up with policies that make Zimbabwe a fertile nation for the growth of the arts as a business. Zimbabwe has not reached its potential



For More Info about Iyasa visit their website:
http://www.iyasa.net/index.php?id=home
https://m.facebook.com/Inkululekoyabatsha/?locale2=en_GB&soft=bookmarks

Those who want to be interviewed and future in our column you can contact us on our email: mmep@hotmail.co.uk or Whatsapp 00447410847876

10 Questions with BAA, Winner Matesu Dube

By Nqobile Mafu

It's almost a week since the awards took place at Bulawayo Large City Hall, tears and joy still buzzing in Bulawayo especial in Njube suburb where Ngiyesbanews came across with an award winner. Matesu was so delighted to be awarded the Outstanding Theatre Director at the 2018 Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards on the 26th of May for the play Ihloka, written by Thabani Moyo. The play Ihloka also got the Outstanding Theatre Production award and also the Outstanding Actor went to Ishmael Muvingi.

(1.) Ngiyesabanews: Pliz can yu tell us a bit about yourself/background?
Mate: My name is Matesu Dube, born and bred in the city of Bulawayo. I am an award theatre arts director.

(2.) Ngiyesabanews: What’s the name and the meaning of your group?
Mate: Umkhathi Theatre Works is the name of my group. Umkhathi means weather in Ndebele language. As a performing arts ensemble we perform different art forms that range from traditional dance, theatre to music that’s why the name Umkhathi comes from.

(3.) Ngiyesabanews: When did your group was formed?
Mate: Umkhathi was formed in 1997 by a group of people that included myself, John Phiri, Mthandazo Sithole (late), Alexander Mhlanga, Richard Mahachi, Maqawe Moyo and Tsoka Ndlovu.

(4.) Ngiyesabanews: Tell us about your achievement in BAA awards?
Mate:Well it was nice for us to scoop 3 awards in the Theatre category at the Roil BAA on the 26th May 2018. I got the Outstanding Theatre Director award, Ishmael Muvingi got the Outstanding Actor award and our production, Ihloka got the Outstanding Theatre Production award.

(5.) Ngiyesabanews: What did you like the most about BAA awards?
Mate: The awards are well organized and I think they are currently the best event in Bulawayo and Zimbabwe as a whole.

(6.) Ngiyesabanews: is it possible to name three artists you’d like to be compared to?
Mate: Well I am my own, god created us in a unique way, so I would like to be compared to anyone else though I admire other people's works.

(7.) Ngiyesabanews: What has been your biggest challenge as an artist?
Mate:My biggest challenge has been to look for funding, for productions that I would like to do. Funding for costumes, stage set, lighting and other things to produce a show that I want; in a professional way.

(8.) Ngiyesabanews: How do you feel about the internet in the arts business?
Mate: The internet is good, it makes us market our works and connect with people in different parts of the world.

(9.) Ngiyesabanews: What changes would you like to see to the arts industry, that will allow you to make a living from your projects?
Mate:The government must remove tax and duty for imports of art equipment. Funding should be availed in the country. The government and corporate sector must work with artists in their projects.

(10.) Ngiyesabanews: What advice do you have for young upcoming artist?
Mate: Love the art in you not yourself in the arts. Learn from the people who are already in the game. Also I would to thank the writer,of Ihloka, Thabani Moyo for believing in me and Umkhathi Theatre Works. To the cast of the play Ihloka, I say congratulations you made us proud. I love you all guys.


Those who want to be interviewed and future in our column you can contact us on our email: mmep@hotmail.co.uk or Whatsapp 00447410847876

10. Questions with Future Dube of Khaya Arts

By Nqobile Mafu

We are delighted again, for BAA now in its second year; they recognise the very best of Bulawayo Arts Industry. The ceremony is taking place on May 26, 2018 at the Large City Hall. On the night, 50 awards will be given away to deserving winners. The night will also feature high quality entertainment by both nominees and selected artists from Bulawayo Good luck to all of the nominees, as we count down for the red carpet ngiyesabanews interviewed one of the nominees.

1. Ngiyesabanews: Pliz can yu tell us a bit about yourself/background?
Khaya Arts: my name is Future Dube the director and founder of khaya arts. I was born and bred in Bulawayo on the 29th of September 1984.I did my primary level at Queen Elizabeth 11 and my higher education at Mandwandwe high school. I started arts when I was in primary after inspired by our after school drama club since then I haven’t looked back.

2. Ngiyesabanews: What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
Khaya Arts: I have never done any job beside arts in my past career as an artist I have worked with Simunye Simunye arts and Black Umfolosi

3. Ngiyesabanews: We understand that it has been a hard and long journey as an artist how true is that?
Khaya Arts: it’s true because arts in my country is not recognised as an industry but it’s just like a hobby to other people also it’s hard to break through because of the propaganda I think you know what I am talking about kkkkkkkkkkk

4. Ngiyesabanews: Tell us about your nomination of BAA awards?
Khaya Arts: it’s our first time to be nominated and a great achievement to me and khaya arts at large. We have been trying for the past years to be recognised at the national merit awards but this time we made it. this will play a big role for our CV.

5. Ngiyesabanews: What do you like the most about BAA awards?
Khaya Arts: First, it is for us by us. You get to walk on the red carpet at your doorstep

6. Ngiyesabanews: Name 3 artists you would like to be compare with?
Khaya Arts: kkkkkkk I didn't see that coming, that’s a tight one no comment

7. Ngiyesabanews: When are you launching your new production and what are you promising your fans?
Khaya Arts: To our fans, Khaya arts will never be the same again and we are working hard to give them quality entertainment and more surprises and productions are on the way

8. Ngiyesabanews: What challenges do you face in arts industry?
Khaya Arts: Lack of funding and sponsorship also we need full support from our parents and the whole community.

9. Ngiyesabanews: where can fans access your products?
Khaya Arts: They can log on to our website .www.khayaartsproductions.co.zw or our Facebook khaya arts productions twitter @khayaartszw

10. Ngiyesabanews: What advice do you have for young upcoming artist?
Khaya Arts: They need to be strong coz it’s not an easy road at all

Thank you future it was nice chatting with you. ngiyesabanews wish you a good luck hope you will get the award as you are nominated in 2 categories. We urge your supporters and followers to vote for Khaya Arts and make their dream a reality.