Now that spring has fully sprung and the evenings are getting warmer, I tried to get out as much as possible this past week.
First, I discovered a new cultural event at Ja Dijo restaurant in town. They host different artists,who perform for free for their clients.
This has been going on for a while and it’s a great initiative to help promote those without the right connections to the industry gatekeepers.
On Saturday night, it was fully packed, although one couldn’t help but notice that 80% of the audience were fellow artists.
I spotted award-winning rapper Asaph, cinematographer and pianist Reneiloe, musician Fish Ndaramu, and some local “skrrrkrrr” boys.
As I made my way out, I bumped into Nuluntu J, who had just gotten off the stage after a roaring performance.
I told her how great she was, and she told me to sit down and wait because she wasn’t done yet. She could have used the magic word: “Thank you!”
Earlier, there was another unique fashion show called “I Wear My Culture,” loosely based on the multicultural heritages found in Matabeleland.
- Byo guitarist turns to the mic
- Vic Falls Carnival launched my global dream: Asaph
- Curtain comes down on Vic Falls Carnival
- Byo guitarist turns to the mic
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The event was held at the National Gallery and curated by Paperbag Africa’s Gilmore Tee.
Indeed, everything was done in an orderly fashion (I mean, reputation is everything for Gilmore). Kkkkkk, yeah, I laughed when he “disappointed” many by announcing that there will be no Pichani this year! Come on, we know most people were actually happy to hear this due to the event's exclusivity — where even we have never been invited.
He gave a lukewarm explanation, saying it takes the whole year to plan and that the fashion show had already taken up all his time; he doesn't want to deliver a substandard event. kkkk, warrejoke in an accent.
Where are TV dramas?
I’ve sadly noticed that there’s been a dry spell of film and TV dramas this year.
I searched on YouTube, where I usually binge on local productions, but I found nothing. It’s probably due to funding and budgetary issues.
How come these big food outlet companies fund productions from all the other provinces and they thrive?
Are we not approaching them? Or maybe we can’t give them the viewer numbers they require for marketing?
I wouldn’t know the exact reasons, but it would be wise for us to support our own by streaming and subscribing. In return, can producers please give us quality?
I won’t speak of one podcast I came across and never watched again.
The lack of context, the misdirection, the lack of knowledge, and the background noise? You’d think it was produced by drunk children.
All hail the King
The Ndebele Kingdom’s founding father, Mzilikazi Ka Mashobane, was also remembered at the Entumbane monuments in Matobo.
Hundreds of attendees from as far as Russia, Tanzania, South Africa, and Botswana flocked in.
It was refreshing to see that the city has so many virgin girls (Amatshitshi), who sang and danced the day away.
At last year’s event, poet Albert Nyathi had said preparations were afoot to create a drama series on Mzilikazi, similar to the just-ended Shaka Ilembe, which prominently featured a younger Mzilikazi.
No such thing was mentioned again this year—speaker after speaker. Ncncncnc, shaking my head.
Please, Bantu’abadala...NO
This one is a plea to our elders, hehehe. Please stop sending us to run certain errands in town, particularly when "us" refers to our local stars, kkkk.
Imagine I had to pretend that I didn’t see my favourite rapper because he had been sent to go and fill up the gas tank.
Shame, you could see my fellow pedestrian was tired and hungry, and that at a time when he has some awards (gongs) at home.
I had the decency not to greet him, bakithi, as I related. Hahaha.
Not just a pretty face
Gone are the days when Bulawayo was the hub of modelling because the instructors understood the assignment. During the days of Sara Mpofu, in the era of Finger Modelling School, they taught that it was more than just being pretty.
The models had manners; they were smart and had excellent networking skills. Fingers brought us the likes of former Miss Zimbabwe Bongani Dhlakama, Lorraine Maphalala, Pardon Khanye, ex-StarFM presenter Langa Ndlovu, former Miss Zimbabwe Samantha Tshuma, former Miss Tourism Ashley Morgan (I wonder where she went after her reign?), and traditional attire designer Nomakhosazana Ncube, whose beautiful skin used to have more melanin popping back then. Even the legendary Aunt Sipho (Mazibuko) used to do an excellent grooming job at Summer Strides.
I like her, shame (almost as much as she loves attention and chaos), and I respect the work she did.
Nowadays, models in Bulawayo are often mean, rude, stuck-up, have a low IQ, and have constricted themselves to an “inner circle.” Ncncncn, my boys and girls, the career path you chose requires an open-minded personality.
I pity you the same way I pity myself when I wear a Highlanders jersey sometimes.
Alright, my friends, keep hydrated and avoid matters that have nothing to do with you. Until next week’s issue, don’t hesitate to get in touch on Instagram @SouthernEye (SE).
