Nkosilathi Sibanda
IT is a season to be jolly in Bulawayo. Ask why and I will direct you to Raisedon Baya and the rest of the gang at Intwasa Arts Festival.
These guys tell us there will be yet another edition of Bulawayo’s most celebrated arts fiesta. Yellow posters are plastered all over. One cannot ignore this.

This has been the norm every September in this city. Intwasa has been at the forefront of the urban beats movement, especially in heightening the showbiz industry.

Since the first edition, I have been there and enjoyed with a couple of friends in the arts. It pays to be honest and say I have had moments both pleasurable and boring.

This coming week, I will be there again. The rest of the art lovers will be there too. Fully charged, I am going to rally behind this biggest showpiece in the land of Kings and Queens. In having an expectant mind, I cannot help to pile up some reservations in the way Intwasa is organised.

This is why I chose to direct this to Raisedon Baya the festival director.

Actually, I initially wanted to write him a letter. While on it, I presumed the Intwasa director is not a man of letters this time around.

Given the pressure his is faced with, it is best that friends in the urban movement share their experiences and expectation on Intwasa.

There is nothing as encouraging as Intwasa in a city that is looking for a messiah to redeem its lost pride as Zimbabwe’s cultural hub.

Raisedon and the rest of the art directors might be the messiah that we cry for. This is not to give these guys props, but acknowledging the immense effort they put in trying to mend things up.

Festivals of such magnitude have their ups and downs. We have had moments when we would want to spit at Raisedon’s face.

Not because we hate him or detest what his team is doing. There are so many reasons why Intwasa is held in high regard.

In Bulawayo if we are not talking about the trade fair in April, we are stuck on the usual conversations of the closure of manufacturing industries (remember, when these industries sneeze, the arts cough the most).

Intwasa has to introduce arts lovers to a fun-filled summer. That has to be done, lest we comment badly and face the wrath of its organisers.

Thank you for the consistency. In so many corridors, we hear people in hush tones, talking negatively about the work Raisedon and company have done in the past years. Every project has its pitfalls. What we loathe is the failure of the organisers to correct their mistakes.

Is Intwasa correcting its shortcomings? We lie in wait, to see what is on the menu. The trend with arts festivals is to give so much hype on activities that do not occur.

Money is splashed on advertising and media placements, yet fans are disappointed. We are tired of mediocrity seriously. Intwasa, being the flagship show of the arts, must avoid embarrassment, lest we snub it for good. This festival is not counted among the worst performing and must remain so.

This goes to all other festivals as well.

Raisedon Baya, you will agree that some of the performers you employ at the festival have failed us. Many of these artistes are the typical one-day wonders.

They come and go, as easy as the winter sun. It is plausible that raw talent be exposed. Young and uncelebrated artistes need to be screened for such festivals. Even the big gurus have to be grilled too.

Let us grow quality and retain the city’s status in the arts. Enough with wonder kids who only appear in September. At one time, on this platform, we touched on the aspect of artistes boozing themselves down. Our entertainment idols know best how to get the alcohol down their throats.

Of course they are human and I could be sounding selfish to some on this comment on drunkenness in the arts industry.
If it is possible, could artistes binge in hiding and make sure they maintain a sober stupor in front of our kids and friends invited to the festival.

Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo is not a rock and roll carnival. Bulawayo is a city that prides in championing family values and so should Intwasa. Artistes have the penchant to drink and have the audacity to say they perform best when drunk. Is that so?

Businesses are on the brink of collapse, I doubt they would sponsor the arts whole heartedly, with the little money they have.

Intwasa presents an opportunity for artistes to rebrand their self image and change the attitude and the way the public perceives their behaviour. In their nature, festivals are a money generating venture. If Raisedon and his team don’t guard against “embarrassing” artistes, then they spell doom for the festival.

Come next Tuesday, we will be clad in our party gear. We are an expectant lot Raisedon Baya. Please tell the artistes to give their best.

The urban movement is not only preoccupied with Intwasa, we mourn the death of one of the likable character in Bulawayo.

Rest in peace Lungisani aka “Tompo”, you kept us in stitches in Sinjalo. 6th Avenue will never be the same.

Let’s keep talking urban. WhatsApp on 0773 481 603

You Might Also Like

Comments