In the vibrant arts hub of Bulawayo, a palpable buzz of anticipation hung in the air as art enthusiasts eagerly awaited the unveiling of the nominees for the 7th edition of the Bulawayo Arts Awards. Eyes glued to their electronic devices, they thronged the digital realm, eagerly anticipating the announcement of who would be vying for recognition in each category. The Roil BAA, set to take place on November 25th at the ZITF in Bulawayo, promises to be a grand celebration of artistic excellence.

The Roil BAA organizers have unveiled this year’s nominees, revealing a fresh wave of emerging talent alongside established figures. The list showcases the diverse creative landscape of Bulawayo, with newcomers making their mark in various categories. Notably, the visual arts categories feature an entirely new pool of nominees, highlighting the city’s burgeoning talent in this field.

A departure from tradition, this year’s Roil BAA will not feature fan voting for nominees in specific categories. However, fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists, shaping the ‘People’s Choice’ category on the Roil BAA website. This unique twist promises to add an exciting element of audience engagement to the awards ceremony.

The voting period opened on October 12th and will conclude on October 24th, culminating in the announcement of the top 10 contenders in the People’s Choice category. These ten finalists will then face off for the coveted title, with the winner determined by audience vote through a ballot system during the awards ceremony. This year there are more than forty categories.

Madlela Comes Home swept the nominations in the Television Production Program category, securing nods in all three categories: Outstanding TV Production, Outstanding Female Actress for Sithandazile Dube, and Outstanding Male Actor for Madlela.

Simunye Simunye Arts maintained a strong presence in the dance category, securing nominations in all three categories: Best Ensemble, Best Male Dancer, and Best Female Dancer. In the theater realm, the play ‘Simunye’ by Indlovu Theatre emerged as a frontrunner with multiple nominations across various categories, including two nominations for Outstanding Theatre Actress and Outstanding Theatre Actor.

The absence of female nominees in the Best Gospel Act/Artist category sparked questions among many, raising concerns about the representation of women in gospel music.

Fury Gun reigns supreme as the most nominated artist, garnering a staggering five nominations: Outstanding Alternative Music, Outstanding Music Video, Outstanding Song of the Year, Outstanding Newcomer, and Outstanding Male Artist.

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. 

Outstanding Comedian
1. Mbongeni Ignatious 
2. Dalu The Comedian 
3. Umnikazi Wempuphu 
4. Mahlalela Mahlalela

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 Delilah 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 Ikhandandlela 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 Mabhena – 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