Oh, my dear friends, I don't even know how to begin without my heart breaking.
The devastating news of Babongile Sikhonjwa Moyo's passing has left us all reeling.
It was only last Friday that I was with him at the launch of a Jet store in town where he MC'ed, only to learn he had died two days later.
He was a revered legend of broadcasting and a national gem and the only StarFM DJ I heard declare on air that he would play music from Bulawayo only and still keep his job.
"Bubbles," as we affectionately called him, was also the only DJ from the Harare-based station who insisted on broadcasting from Bulawayo, where he tirelessly championed local talent.
Oh, what a loss we have suffered.
My deepest condolences to you all, his family, and his friends.
Fly high, Bubbles. You were a humble legend, and we will miss you terribly.
- Showbiz, heartbreak and happenings
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Phew! It was nearly impossible to write that with dry eyes. Anyway, on to much lighter topics.
Dr Stop It??
It was refreshing to hear from you all on Instagram (@SouthernEye).
One of you asked if I am the same persona as The Standard's Dr Stop it!
Haha, no, I am not; she is my sister from another paper.
Speaking of Dr S, I recently asked her about the sudden internet craze where people in the capital pour milk and honey on themselves while declaring the president is sweet.
She laughed it off as "begged syndrome," where they are low-key begging for money from him. I had to laugh.
I guess we are not immune to it either, though we do it differently on this side.
I have noticed that Nkayi musician and leader of Skhasana Band, who goes by the name Skhosana, has also made it a habit to move around with a begging bowl.
I remember a time he cried out about having no proper infrastructure at his homestead, and people donated.
Now I hear he has a GoFundMe account asking for money to buy a car. Last time, it was for livestock. Haaa! Kunzima!
Queen of Mat South
Oh, and did the Queen of Mat'South, Minnie Baloyi-Chiwenga, not brighten the spirits last weekend!
The aura-oozing Filabusi girl attended her niece's wedding in the City of Kings and nearly stole the show, arriving with grace and her Vice-President husband on her arm.
Kikikiki, guys, it was refreshing to see them freely interact with ordinary residents.
I finally understood why locals have nicknamed the VP "umkhwenyana" (son-in-law).
On the note of our sons-in-law from Harare, there is the less-impressive Holy Ten, who married our Bulawayo flower, Kimberly (who was probably several shades lighter than him back then).
He has been up to so much mischief it's embarrassing to even mention him in the same breath as darling Minnie's hubby.
In fact, let me not even go there!
Vic Falls Spring Festival
The inaugural Victoria Falls Spring Festival kicked off, and naturally, I was there.
I don't want to talk too much about the performers, save for maybe the main headline act, Makhadzi.
Now, that's an artist who respects her audience!
Most stars, who come to this side seem half-interested, like they want to fall asleep on stage.
Makhadzi delivered a performance to remember and had the crowd in a frenzy.
A local vendor told me she was happy with the festival as it fills the gap left by the now-defunct Vic Falls Carnival, which used to be a week of making "serious" money.
I must also commend Vic Falls for its cleanliness.
I don't know whether to credit their 31-year-old mayor, Thuso Moyo, or the 15 000 residents (kikikki, I'm also laughing at that population number when Cowdray Park alone has probably 200 000 people).
Cheers, my friends. Let's talk again soon.
*Text me on Instagram and tell your friends to follow me @SouthernEye. You keep well now and behave.
