The Bulawayo Arts Awards will return on the 20th of December 2025, for their 8th edition. Set to be hosted at ZITF Hall 3, the awards will celebrate works from across 24 months due to their postponement last year.
In honour of Bulawayo's arts icons, the Bulawayo Arts Awards have renamed several awards for this edition in honour of the incredible contributions of Sihlangu Dlodlo, Pathisa Nyathi, Ishmael Muvingi, Babongile Sikhonjwa, and Desire Moyoxide:
Ishmael Muvingi – Litshe Outstanding Dance Ensemble.
Desire Moyoxide – Moyoxide Outstanding Poet.
Pathisa Nyathi – Pathisa Nyathi Outstanding Literary Work.
Babongile Sikhonjwa – Babongile Sikhonjwa Outstanding Radio DJ.
Sihlangu Dlodlo – Qhube Outstanding Theatre Production.
These awards celebrate their lives, impact, and the pivotal roles they played in shaping the arts. Except for Sihlangu Dlodlo, all of them are former Bulawayo Arts Awards winners.
Here are the nominees for the 2025 Bulawayo Arts Awards:
OUTSTANDING ARTS PHOTOGRAPHER
Sadee Lensworks.
Elliot Moyo
Khanya Media
"LITSHE" OUTSTANDING DANCE ENSEMBLE
No Name Dance Crew
Khaya Arts
Imvimbi Arts
Phezhuba Pachena
Simunye Simunye
OUTSTANDING FEMALE DANCER
Lindokuhle Hadebe - Khaya Arts
Albertina Manombe - Simunye Simunye
Christine Sibanda - Simunye Simunye
OUTSTANDING MALE DANCER
Lindelani Calisto Mafu - Jabulani Arts
Fidelis Tshuma - Umkhathi Theatre Works
Blessing Bhila - Khaya Arts
Allen Mahwehwe - Simunye Simunye
OUTSTANDING THEATRE ACTRESS
Praise Ncube - Ipi Intombi
Memory Zikhali - Grand Taimaz
Nomvelo Behane - Without A State
OUTSTANDING THEATRE ACTOR
Julian Tshuma - Grand Taimaz
Josphat Ndlovu - Without A State
Richard Masuku - Grand Taimaz
"QHUBE" OUTSTANDING THEATRE PRODUCTION
Ipi Ntombi - Bulawayo Theatre
Grand Taimaz - Umthombo Arts
Without A State - Bambelela Arts Ensemble
OUTSTANDING COMEDIAN
Mbongeni Ignatious
General Lesley
Frank Chirisa
D'Juni
OUTSTANDING ONLINE CONTENT CREATORS
Umnikazi Wempuphu
Madlela Skhobokhobo
Chik Aljoy
Sipho Mercent Nyathi
"MOYOXIDE" OUTSTANDING POET
We Create Afrika
Thaluso Da Poet
Um’Africakazi
Sonkomose
"PATHISA NYATHI" OUTSTANDING LITERARY WORK
Testament of Black Jesus - Philani A Nyoni
Living Memories - Erica Gwetai
I know why teeth where made white - Busani Ncube
My Affair with misfortune - Sipho Mpofu
OUTSTANDING ARTS JOURNALIST
Lisa Masuku - Kurira - ZBC
Mbulelo Mpofu - Zimpapers
Langalakhe Mabhena - Zimpapers
Mthabisi Tshuma - Zimpapers
OUTSTANDING ONLINE MEDIA
Dab Three Events
Zimpapers Online
earGround
"BABONGILE SIKHONJWA" OUTSTANDING RADIO DJ
Mjox - Skyz Metro FM
Becky K - Capitalk
Leornard Ncube AKA Umfundisi - Khulumani FM
Miss T - Power FM
OUTSTANDING CLUB DJ
Kotwane Hikwa
Sifiso
DJ Nospa
DJ Mzoe
OUTSTANDING FASHION DESIGNER/HOUSE
Ncominkosi Sibanda (Ncoma Style Lab)
Brightman Dlamini (Tocar Narrations)
Sibusisiwe Falala (SLF Apparels)
Indwangu by Mthobie
OUTSTANDING MODEL
Nomqhele Sisa Nkomo
Farai Mqondisi Sibanda
Calton Mduduzi Ndlovu
Liam Hall
Sakhile Dube
OUTSTANDING AMBASSADOR (Worldwide)
Q Dube
Nitefreak
Everton Mlalazi
OUTSTANDING HIP HOP ARTIST/ACT
Mlue Jay
Luchi Shiki
Noluntu J
Boy Nino
Tee X Tekie
OUTSTANDING KWAITO/HOUSE/GQOM/AMAPIANO ARTIST/ACT
La Dee
MJ Sings
Jaycee
Calvin Mangena
OUTSTANDING ALTERNATIVE MUSIC
Ma9Nine
Asante Mo
Bhila
Matojeni Melo Maniacs
Abigail Mabuza
Bhekiwe
Dziba Lemvula
OUTSTANDING GOSPEL ARTIST/ACT
Vusa Mangena
Snowy
Harvest House Music
OUTSTANDING IMBUBE/ACAPELLA GROUP/ACT
Great Stars Ijongosi
Amaqaqa
Amanculo Enjabulo
OUTSTANDING TSHIBILIKA/RHUMBA ACT
Amathonga Amahle
Godolude
Mxolisi "Mr Bones"
OUTSTANDING MUSIC PRODUCER
DJ Jabs
Godwin Smallz
Nashville
Murphy Cubic
Just Percy
OUTSTANDING MUSIC VIDEO
La dee & Kaykid Umfanomsotho- Umanqondana Wami
Harvest House Music - Revival Party
Mzoe 7 Feat Thandy Dhlana & La Dee - Amalanga Awafani
Calvin Mangena - Sukuma
Tsungai Tsikirai Feat IYASA - Ezintabeni
OUTSTANDING SONG OF THE YEAR
Mxolisi Mr Bones - Bangihlangabeze Ngekhesi
Amathonga Amahle - Soft Life
Jayvee - Ungayithi Vuu
Bhila Feat Kaykid Umfanomsotho- Emaweni
Black Diva - Thilo Lilo
OUTSTANDING TV PRODUCTION/PROGRAMME
A Trap of Trade
Freedom Comes Dancing
Village 4
OUTSTANDING FILM/TV ACTRESS
Sasha Juliet Zulu - Freedom Comes Dancing
Celesile Mpofu - Inkaba
Lindiwe Mlazie - Umhlolo Wase Zhwane
OUTSTANDING FILM/TV ACTOR
Sikhanyiso Ngwenya - Rise
Lindelani Calisto Mafu - Freedom Comes Dancing
Percy Soko Village 4
Ronald Stone - A Trap of Trade
NEW COMER OF THE YEAR (All genres)
General Lesley
Black Diva
Kaykid Umfanomsotho
Khizolamak
We Create
Band of Misfits
Dziba Lemvula
OUTSTANDING MALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Mzoe 7
MJ Sings
Mxolisi "Mr Bones"
Fab G Mshanakagogo
Ma9Nine
OUTSTANDING FEMALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Noluntu J
Um’Africakazi
Chioniso Tshikirayi
Abigail Mabuza
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
TO BE ANNOUNCED ON THE NIGHT
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD (All genres)
TO BE SHORTLISTED AFTER VOTING