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Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected] 

THE upcoming seventh edition of the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA) is not just about celebration; it’s about paying heartfelt tribute. 

This year, the BAA plans to honour the late members of the gifted rhumba ensemble, Insimbi ZeZhwane, who tragically lost their lives in a car accident this August.

Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards

Insimbi ZeZhwane lost their lead vocalist and lead guitarist, Elvis “MaEli” Mathe, along with the drummer Thembinkosi Mpofu, affectionately known as Maviri. Maviri had joined the band earlier this year, doubling as a drummer for Godolude.

The accident occurred along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, near the Fatima High School turn-off, leaving the music community in mourning. 

To honour their memory, BAA has decided to rename the category from Best Tshibilika/Rhumba Act to the Insimbi ZeZhwane Tshibilika/Rhumba Award.

In 2021, Insimbi ZeZhwane clinched the award in this very category, a testament to their musical prowess.

The late Thembinkosi “Maviri” Mpofu

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Showbiz, Nkululeko Nkue Nkala, the BAA spokesperson, expressed their commitment to honouring artistes who leave a lasting legacy in the creative industry. 

“We are definitely going to honour MaEli and Maviri as we are going to call the Tshibilika/Rhumba award, the Insimbi ZeZhwane Tshibilika/Rhumba award. We will also not hesitate to honour comrades in the industry who pass on and have left an indelible impression to the lives of the people,” said Nkue.

The heartfelt gesture aims to provide solace to the fans who have lost their beloved artistes, while ensuring that their legacies continue to thrive.

In the previous year, following the passing of the legendary arts doyen Cont Mhlanga, the BAA adopted the Amakhosi mantra, “Umkhulu lo Msebenzi,” under the theme “Celebrating Arts Excellence, Umkhulu lo Msebenzi.”

This year’s edition will mark a significant departure from tradition as the organisers bid farewell to the familiar Large City Hall venue. Instead, they venture into a new frontier, the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC).

Scheduled for November 25, this year’s BAA promises to be a glamorous and unforgettable occasion. It is an event that has evolved into a platform that not only celebrates but also wholeheartedly honours and recognises the exceptional contributions of Bulawayo’s creative talents, both locally and globally. —@mthabisi_mthire