The Bulawayo Arts Awards made their long awaited return on the 20th of December 2025, after a 2 year hiatus. Hosted at ZITF Hall 3, the 8th edition of the award show served the dual purpose of celebrating the artistry from the past 24 months and honouring departed legends.
The BAA renamed 5 key awards in honour of the incredible contributions of Sihlangu Dlodlo (Qhube Outstanding Theatre Production), Pathisa Nyathi (Pathisa Nyathi Outstanding Literary Work), Ishmael Muvingi (Litshe Outstanding Dance Ensemble), Babongile Sikhonjwa (Babongile Sikhonjwa Outstanding Radio DJ), and Desire Moyoxide (Moyoxide Outstanding Poet).
The event's partners included Liquor Supplies, The Smokehouse, Mr Sinkwa, Design Guru Hardware Solutions, 50 Dates At The Theatre and Thandoz Specialists.
The big winner on the night was DJ Mzoe, who won the People's Choice Award and walked away with the a brand new Toyota Aqua.
The ceremony, hosted by Bkay, Lady Tshawe, and Nozinhle Evelyn Gumede,went off without a hitch, which affirmed that one of Zimbabwe's premier arts awards platforms was truly back.
Here is the full list of winners for the 2025 edition of the Bulawayo Arts Awards:
OUTSTANDING ARTS PHOTOGRAPHER
Sadee Lensworks.
Elliot Moyo (Winner)
Khanya Media
"LITSHE" OUTSTANDING DANCE ENSEMBLE
No Name Dance Crew (Winner)
Khaya Arts
Imvimbi Arts
Phezhuba Pachena
Simunye Simunye
OUTSTANDING FEMALE DANCER
Lindokuhle Hadebe - Khaya Arts
Albertina Manombe - Simunye Simunye (Winner)
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 (Winner)
OUTSTANDING THEATRE ACTRESS
Praise Ncube - Ipi Intombi (Winner)
Memory Zikhali - Grand Taimaz
Nomvelo Behane - Without A State
OUTSTANDING THEATRE ACTOR
Julian Tshuma - Grand Taimaz
Josphat Ndlovu - Without A State (Winner)
Richard Masuku - Grand Taimaz
"QHUBE" OUTSTANDING THEATRE PRODUCTION
Ipi Ntombi - Bulawayo Theatre (Winner)
Grand Taimaz - Umthombo Arts
Without A State - Bambelela Arts Ensemble
OUTSTANDING COMEDIAN
Mbongeni Ignatious (Winner)
General Lesley
Frank Chirisa
D'Jun
OUTSTANDING ONLINE CONTENT CREATORS
Umnikazi Wempuphu
Madlela Skhobokhobo
Chik Aljoy (Winner)
Sipho Mercent Nyathi
"MOYOXIDE" OUTSTANDING POET
We Create Afrika
Thaluso Da Poet
Um’Africakazi
Sonkomose (Winner)
"PATHISA NYATHI" OUTSTANDING LITERARY WORK
Testament of Black Jesus - Philani A Nyoni (Winner)
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 (Winner)
Mbulelo Mpofu - Zimpapers
Langalakhe Mabhena - Zimpapers
Mthabisi Tshuma - Zimpapers
OUTSTANDING ONLINE MEDIA
Dab Three Events
Zimpapers Online (Winner)
Earground
"BABONGILE SIKHONJWA" OUTSTANDING RADIO DJ
Mjox - Skyz Metro FM (Winner)
Becky K - Capitalk
Leornard Ncube AKA Umfundisi - Khulumani FM
Miss T - Power FM
OUTSTANDING CLUB DJ
Kotwane Hikwa (Winner)
Sifiso
DJ Nospa
DJ Mzoe
OUTSTANDING FASHION DESIGNER/HOUSE
Ncominkosi Sibanda (Ncoma Style Lab)
Brightman Dlamini (Tocar Narrations)
Sibusisiwe Falala (SLF Apparels)
Indwangu by Mthobi (Winner)
OUTSTANDING MODEL
Nomqhele Sisa Nkomo
Farai Mqondisi Sibanda
Calton Mduduzi Ndlovu
Liam Hall
Sakhile Dube (Winner)
OUTSTANDING AMBASSADOR (Worldwide)
Q Dube
Nitefreak (Winner)
Everton Mlalazi (Winner)
OUTSTANDING HIP HOP ARTIST/ACT
Mlue Jay
Luchi Shiki
Noluntu J (Winner)
Boy Nino
Tee X Tekie
OUTSTANDING KWAITO/HOUSE/GQOM/AMAPIANO ARTIST/ACT
La Dee
MJ Sings (Winner)
Jaycee
Calvin Mangena
OUTSTANDING ALTERNATIVE MUSIC
Ma9Nine
Asante Mo
Bhila (Winner)
Matojeni Melo Maniacs
Abigail Mabuza
Bhekiwe
Dziba Lemvula
OUTSTANDING GOSPEL ARTIST/ACT
Vusa Mangena (Winner)
Snowy
Harvest House Music
OUTSTANDING IMBUBE/ACAPELLA GROUP/ACT
Great Stars Ijongosi
Amaqaqa
Amanculo Enjabulo (Winner)
OUTSTANDING TSHIBILIKA/RHUMBA ACT
Amathonga Amahle
Godolude
Mxolisi "Mr Bones" (Winner)
OUTSTANDING MUSIC PRODUCER
DJ Jabs
Godwin Smallz
Nashville
Murphy Cubic
Just Percy (Winner)
OUTSTANDING MUSIC VIDEO
La dee & Kaykid Umfanomsotho - Umanqondana Wami
Harvest House Music - Revival Party (Winner)
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
Jaycee - Ungayithi Vuu (Winner)
Bhila Feat Kaykid Umfanomsotho- Emaweni
Black Diva - Thilo Lilo
OUTSTANDING TV PRODUCTION/PROGRAMME
A Trap of Trade (Winner)
Freedom Comes Dancing
Village 4
OUTSTANDING FILM/TV ACTRESS
Sasha Juliet Zulu - Freedom Comes Dancing (Winner)
Celesile Mpofu - Inkaba
Lindiwe Mlazie - Umhlolo Wase Zhwane
OUTSTANDING FILM/TV ACTOR
Sikhanyiso Ngwenya - Rise (Winner)
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 (Winner)
Kaykid Umfanomsotho
Khizolamak
We Create
Band of Misfits
Dziba Lemvula
OUTSTANDING MALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Mzoe 7 (Winner)
MJ Sings
Mxolisi "Mr Bones"
Fab G Mshanakagogo
Ma9Nine
OUTSTANDING FEMALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Noluntu J
Um’Africakazi
Chioniso Tshikirayi
Abigail Mabuza (Winner)
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Joseph Nyapimpi (Winner)
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD (All genres)
DJ Mzoe (Winner)