The 7th edition of the Bulawayo Arts Awards took place on 25 November 2023. The awards ceremony hosted by Amard, Muntomkhulu, Norma and Master E returned to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds, as part of a partnership with the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre.
This year there were no nominees for the visual arts category but the People's Choice Award made its return and went to Insimbi ZeZhwane.
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In celebration of the 7th edition, the award show honoured 7 icons, situations, events and/or people that have had an impact on the arts but may not have had a particular category to belong to since the awards started. The icons celebrated are as follows; Broadcast journalist Ezra “Tshisa” Siba, Jazz Guitarist Simbarashe Hudson, The late Rapper Cal Vin, Thabani H Moyo (arts educator and playwright), Thandanani Women’s Ensemble -- a traditional dance group formed in 1991, Black Imfolosi -- Acappella (Imbube) singing and traditional dance group formed in 1982 and Ericah Gwetai née Mugadzaweta (Author/ Writer)
Here is the full list of winners for 2023 Bulawayo Arts Awards
Outstanding Arts Photographer
- ERN Photography
- Kingshee Photos
- Nikolgraphy
Outstanding Dance Ensemble
- Sekunjalo Ma Afrika (Winner)
- Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble
- Simunye Simunye Arts
- IYASA
Outstanding Female Dancer
- Mandisa Maseko AKA Stormzw (Winner)
- Sasha Juliet Zulu
- Faith S Dube - Ezimnyama
- Christine Sibanda - Simunye Simunye
Outstanding Male Dancer
- Anele Sithole - Iyasa (Winner)
- Tich Hero Chikara - Project See Me Dance Ensemble
- Allen T Mahwehwe - Simunye Simunye
Outstanding Model
- Francisco Kampira
- Stacey Hall
- Jemimwa Mandemwa
- Amanda Peresu Moyo
- Liberty Malala
Outstanding Hip Hop Artist/Act
- Mlue Jay
- Killemol
- Noluntu J
- Brucella
- Lamaz
- Joy Rukanza
Outstanding Alternative Music
- Ma9nine
- Fish M Ndaramu
- Fab G Mshanakagogo
- Aphiwe and Sobancane
- Fury Gun
- Calvin Mangena
- Abigail Mabuza
Outstanding Kwaito/House/Gqom
- Mzistozz (Winner)
- Nitefreak
- MJ Sings
Outstanding Literary Work English
- The Misfit by Ayanda M Moyo
- Whatever happened to Rick Astley by Bryony Rheam
- Delilah Protocol by Robert Mukondiwa
- Magic and Masala by Violette Kee-Tui
- A Colonial Boy by John Eppel
Outstanding Fashion Designer House
- Sanah Designs
- Scarless By Bernard
- Ganu
Outstanding Radio DJ
- GabsFire - Skyz Metro FM (Winner)
- Taboka Nleya - Skyz Metro FM
- Noxy Diva - ZIFM
- Leonard Umfumdisi - Khulumanj FM
Outstanding Club DJ
- Nitefreak (Winner)
- Kead Wicked
- DJ Sida
- Nizhe De Soul
Outstanding Online Media
- DAB Three
- Bulawayo Arts News Online
- Creatives Magazine
Outstanding Ndebele Literary Work
- Lingacitshi Ikhandlela by Emmanuel Moyo
- Kumnyama by Witness Timothy Hadebe
- Impilo Le by Pretty Ndlovu
- Ukhethiwe by Zibusiso Condry Mabonisa
Outstanding Comedian
- Mbongeni Ignatius (Winner)
- Dalu The Comedian
- Um'ikazi Wemphuphu
- Mahlalela Mahlalela
Outstanding Poet
- Chioniso Tsikisayi (Winner)
- Thaluso The Poet
- Dr Gasolo
- Poet Lethu
Outstanding Ambassador (Worldwide)
- Q Dube
- Nitefreak (Winner)
- Sisasenkosi
Outstanding Arts Journalist
- Mkhululi Ncube - The Chronicle
- Mbulelo Mpofu - The Chronicle
- Langalakhe Mabhena - B Metro
- Mpumelelo Moyo - Newsday
- Mkhokheli Kabane Zibengwa - Bano
Outstanding Arts Theatre Actress
- Musawenkosi Sibanda - Simunye (Winner)
- Charmaine Mudau - Simunye
- Bonakele Agnes Ncube - 3Sum
Outstanding Theatre Actor
- Zenzo Nyathi - Act of Man (Winner)
- Mzingaye Ngwabi - 3Sum
- Ishmael Muvingi - Bayethe Nksoi
- Bruce Mutero - Simunye
Outstanding Theatre Production
- Simunye by Indlovu Theatre (Winner)
- An Act of Man by Zenzo Nyathi
- Bayethe Nkosi by Umkhathi Arts
Outstanding Gospel Artist/Act
- Vusa Mangena
- Pastor Barack
- Everton Mlalazi
- Snowy
Outstanding Music Producer
- DJ Jabs (Winner)
- Black Orient
- Godwin Smallz
- Nashville
Outstanding Music Video
- Noluntu J - Ghost
- Calvin Mangena - Ihulumende
- Da Kudu - Kiss Dilika (Winner)
- Fury Gun - Awukhuzeki
Outstanding Imbube/Acapella
- Great Stars Ijongosi
- Amaqaqa
- Black Umfolosi
- Ubuntu Bomuntu
Outstanding Ma Eli Tshibilika/Rhumba Act
- Insimbi ZeZhwane (Winner)
- Amathonga Amahle
- Godolude
- Madlela
- Clement Magwaza
Outstanding Arts Song of the Year
- Insimbi ZeZhwane - GPS
- Sandra Sibanda - Cwebezela
- Mandie Mae - Lifestyle
- Amany - Novuyo
- Nitefreak - Premier Gaou Remix (Winner)
- Calvin Mangena - Ihulumende
- Fury Gun - Awukhuzeki
Outstanding Female Artiste
- Noluntu J
- Joy Rukanza (Winner)
- Charmaine Mudau
- Mandie Mae
Outstanding Male Artiste
- Nitefreak
- MJ Sings
- Fury Gun
- Mzistozz Mfanafuthi
- Fab G Mshanakagogo
- Calvin Mangena (Winner)
Outstanding Film/TV Actor
- Madlela - Madlela Comes Home (Winner)
- Alex Marowa - High School Diaries
- Ashley Nkosikhona Mpofu - Ihlazo
Outstanding Film/TV Actress
- Sithandazile Dube - Madlela Comes Home
- Florence Sithole - Ihlazo (Winner)
- Nonduduzo Ncube - Usendo/Maliwe
Outstanding Newcomer
- Da Kudu
- Aphiwe and Sobancane
- Fury Gun (Winner)
- Albinism Connect Band
- Bhila
Outstanding TV Production/Program
- Madlela Comes Home
- High School Diaries
- I wear my Culture (Winner)
- My name is my name
- Quack the Duck