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Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
“LET’S do it again,” is the clarion call to the corporate world by organisers of the Bulawayo Arts Awards as the second edition was launched last Friday.

The inaugural award ceremony held last year was the talk of the country as it dazzled many with some saying they were the best awards held in the land.

This year the awards will be held on May 26 at the Large City Hall with nominations open to the public from February 23 and close on April 13.

On Friday organisers called on the corporate world to help raise the over $50 000 needed to successfully hold the awards.

Speaking during the launch at the Bulawayo Club, one of the organisers Saimon Mambazo Phiri, said this year they were not taking in pledges.

“We need $50 760 in total to hold the awards successfully. Last year had quite a lot of pledges. Sadly most of those weren’t fulfilled. We spent two thirds of our productive time chasing after people and at some stage we started being enemies with people. We’re afraid that we’re not going to take pledges.  We want those who want to partner with us and are able to sign contracts with us so that they fufil their pledges,” said Mambazo.

During the ceremony, another organiser Raisedon Baya revealed the 12 categories that artistes will vie for.

He said nominations are open to any artiste from Bulawayo or Matabeleland North or South.

“Artistes who were born in Matabeleland or Bulawayo and practising anywhere in the world are eligible. If you were born anywhere in the world and relocated to Bulawayo or Matabeleland you’re also eligible. We’re all inclusive, meaning the BAAs recognise and honour exceptional individuals and collaborative artistic efforts in the city of Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South regardless of tribe, gender or race,” said Baya.

During his presentation Baya spelt out the nomination process.

“Artistes can self nominate, but they have to bring in the artefact or work that they feel is exceptional when they hand in their forms. The public can nominate their favourite artiste but here they’re not required to hand in any sample, all they have to do is to give reasons why they’ve nominated their favourite artiste,” said Baya.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.byoarts-awards.org where fans can nominate their artiste online.

Nomination forms are also available at the National Gallery in Bulawayo, Boom City along 8th Avenue between George Silundika and Robert Mugabe Way and Entertainment Headquarters between Leopold Takawira and 6th Avenue along George Silundika.

Below are this year’s categories

Music Awards
1. Outstanding Kwaito | House | Gqom Artist | Act
2. Outstanding HipHop Artiste | Act
3. Outstanding Gospel Artiste | Act
4. Outstanding Alternative (Maskandi/Jazz/ World) Music Artist | Act
5. Outstanding Tshibilika | Rhumba Artiste | Act
6. Outstanding Accapela | Imbube Group | Act
7. Outstanding Music Video
8. Outstanding Female Artiste
9. Outstanding Male Artiste
10. Song of the Year

Dance Awards
11. Outstanding Contemporary Dance Ensemble
12. Outstanding Traditional Dance Ensemble
13. Outstanding Female Dancer
14. Outstanding Male Dancer

Theatre Awards
15. Outstanding Playwright
16. Outstanding Director
17. Outstanding Theatre Actress
18. Outstanding Theatre Actor
19. Outstanding Theatre Production

School Play Awards
20. Outstanding Arts Educator (Primary Schools)
21. Outstanding School Effort (Primary Schools)
22. Outstanding Arts Educator (High Schools)
23. Outstanding School Arts Effort (High Schools)
24. Outstanding Actor (High Schools)
25. Outstanding Actress (High Schools)

Visual Arts Awards
26. Outstanding Visual Artist (Two Dimensional)
27. Outstanding Visual Artist (Three Dimensional)

Media Awards
28. Outstanding Online Media
29. Outstanding Mainstream Media House
30. Outstanding Arts Journalist Across Board
31. Outstanding Arts Photographer

Film & TV Awards
32. Outstanding Television Production | Program
33. Outstanding Film
34. Outstanding Film/TV Director
35. Outstanding Film/TV Actress
36. Outstanding Film/TV Actor

Spoken Word Awards
37. Outstanding Comedian
38. Outstanding Poet

Literary Works Awards
39. Outstanding Literary Work – Non fiction
40. Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

Fashion & Lifetyle Awards
41. Outstanding Female Model
42. Outstanding Male Model
43. Outstanding Fashion Designer | House

Special Awards Awards
44. Outstanding Newcomer Across All Genres
45. Outstanding Ambassador based in RSA
46. Outstanding Ambassador – Rest of the World
47. Outstanding Arts Supporter
48. Life Achievement Award

DJ Awards
49. Outstanding Radio DJ
50. Outstanding Club DJ