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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
BATHABILE Dlamini, a Bulawayo model, performing artiste and university student, says being nominated at the National Art Merit Awards for Outstanding Actress in the theatre category has encouraged her to put more effort into her artistic work. Dlamini’s role as Zinkabi in the UMbiko kaMadlenya production earned her a nomination at the awards. She will compete against Rumbidzai Karize (The Convert) and Lawayne Muzite (Connections).

The second year Nust Journalism and Media Studies student, who is a part time performing artiste, said being nominated for such a prestigious award indicated that she was growing as an artiste.

“I’m happy that I’ve been nominated as this shows that if I work hard in my art, I’ll be rewarded. I also want to look beyond this award if I win, and aim to hopefully win an international award in future,” Dlamini said.

The artiste said she drew inspiration from Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o who starred in the award winning movie, 12 Years A Slave.

“Lupita inspires me with the attitude she has on life, especially her positivity. She looks into the future and not where she comes from or her past. That’s my attitude as I’m not driven by what people say, but by what I’m planning to do with my life,” she said.

Dlamini said this year would also see her returning to the stage for a play by Raisedon Baya and Thabani Moyo.

Asked why she did not audition for the Miss World Zimbabwe 2015 pageant, Dlamini said she wanted to concentrate on her schooling. The Miss Zimbabwe Trust scouting team was in Bulawayo to audition models for the country’s most coveted crown and Dlamini was a notable absentee.

The model, who was crowned Miss Nust second princess last year, said she did not compromise when it comes to schoolwork.

“To me school is more important than modelling so I weighed my options and saw that participating at Miss Zimbabwe would be taxing on my schoolwork,” she said.

Dlamini said her focus on school did not mean she was off the ramp as she planned to resume the craft later in the year.

“I can’t pre-empt but I’ve something in the pipeline that will be released in due course. People should understand that I’m a part time model and performing artiste as they are just hobbies because my first priority is school,” she said.