admin
Langalakhe Mabena
Bulawayo Day (1 June) is around the corner and there is a need for local creatives and organisers to come together and celebrate the historic day which will see Bulawayo as a city celebrating 129 years of existence.
As much as it (Bulawayo Day) is an annually held celebration, there is a need for artistes from different walks of life to come together, celebrate the day through their creativity as the day is meant to celebrate Bulawayo’s “identity, history and heritage.”
Journalist and social commentator Brighton Beefactor has challenged artistes from Bulawayo and its promoters to do away with their differences, come together and combine efforts to celebrate the Bulawayo Day as one entity.
His dream is to see the Bulawayo Day celebrated through a festival which will be held in the heart of the city, where a road will be blocked for the festivities to take place.
Suggested areas are the Joshua Mqabuko road as well as Park Road Aviary, which will allow the use of the Bulawayo Theatre, Amphi Theatre as well as the Centenary Park for different activities.
He posted the idea on his social media pages and the thought has sparked a rave review. “June 1. Bulawayo Day. How about all start-ups in Bulawayo collaborate and give us a show stopper as we celebrate Bulawayo Day.
“Matobo Gin meets Ndebele Crush, meets Dejavu, meets Umahlekisa, meets Munch n Sip, meets City of Kings Apparel, meets Skyz Metro FM, meets Magriza Made Me Cook, meets Pichani, meets House in CBD, meets Sneakers Expo, meets Intwasa on a one curated event.
“We shut down one road in Bulawayo as we celebrate uBulawayo. Over to you creatives,” posted Beefactor leaving the ball in the creatives’ court.
B-Metro managed to trace some of the gig organisers and creatives who have been visible as far as holding shows locally is concerned.
Comedian Babongile Sikhonjwa who somehow “volunteered” to spearhead the initiative said the idea was pitched some years ago to the City Fathers and there was no response. However, this time around they will push hard to make sure the idea comes to fruition.
“We once pitched this idea to the Bulawayo City Council, whereby we will have a festival in the city where we will have local creatives showcasing their talent in celebration of the day, but we didn’t get a response.
“It’s a good thing that Brighton brought it again and we have resurrected the idea as we have since written to the City Fathers once again to grant us permission to host the event which will bring a vibrant life to the city,” said Sikhonjwa.
A lot of creatives are buying in on the idea, with giant events company Dab Three Events also endorsing the impression.
“As Dab Three we have been doing shows that are meant to empower local creatives and we have been successful in doing so. We are all about bringing stellar shows in Bulawayo and this gig which is meant to celebrate Bulawayo is a great idea and we are in full force behind it.
“However, something of this sort once happened and artistes were not paid their money, therefore if we are to go with the idea, the council has to be clear to us about such issues because we don’t want middlemen who will con artistes their money,” said Archford Hadebe from Dab Three Events.
Comedian and Umahlekisa comedy club co-founder Ntando Van Moyo said the Bulawayo Day event would give local acts a chance to prove themselves to the city of Kings, therefore they were in solidarity with the idea.
“I believe if as creatives we are in full force in supporting the idea, it’s going to be a great cause for us. This festivity will have different creatives, musicians, comedians, dancers and will afford artists to showcase and exhibit their craft as well as allowing local brands to display their products in their stalls.
“This is for Bulawayo and as Umahlekisa we appreciate the idea which I believe will go a long way in fostering a relationship between artistes and the people from Bulawayo, if it is held annually,” said Van Moyo.
Fortune Mguni also known as Umcimbi KaFofo on the showbiz scene, who is the founder of beverage Bantu Royal Gin, said such a celebratory idea would give young entrepreneurs like him a chance to break the market and foster good relations with their potential clients.
“We saw the tweet by Beefactor and as Bantu Royal Gin we welcome such a noble idea because this will allow local beverage makers including us, Matopo Gin and Dejavu, a chance to break the market,” said Umcimbi KaFofo.
Other companies and creatives who are in full support of the initiative are Bulawayo Sneakers Expo as well as Lets Meat and Braai event.
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
mbulelo smpofu
