THE seventh edition of the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (Byo Arts Awards) proved to be a resounding success with a record-breaking attendance of 2 800 people.
Organiser Simon 'Mambazo' Phiri expressed his joy over the overwhelming response, saying, "We almost filled up ZITF Hall Three with 2 800 people going through our doors, which was an amazing record that we are going to take forward."
The venue, with a capacity of 3 000 seated guests, witnessed not only enthusiastic Bulawayo residents but also overwhelming support from across the region.
"There were a lot of people who came down from South Africa, Botswana, and the capital, Harare, which is a testimony that Bulawayo is doing great things," Mambazo said.
The success of the event has left the organisers aiming for even greater heights in the upcoming edition.
"Hopefully, we can move to a better and bigger space because that's the only indoor venue that carries such big numbers," Mambazo added.
Beyond the impressive attendance, the awards themselves celebrated the best of Bulawayo's artistic talent. Insimbi zeZhwane, a captivating musical group, emerged as the triumphant winner of the People's Choice Award, taking home a brand new car after captivating the hearts of the audience who voted for them.
Their victory amidst stiff competition from other talented artists like Aphiwe and Sobancane, Madlela, Nitefreak, and Umnikazi Wemphuphu, served as a testament to the vibrant artistry thriving in Bulawayo.
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The Byo Arts Awards have clearly established themselves as a major platform for showcasing Bulawayo's vibrant artistic scene. With the organizers' ambitious plans for the future, we can expect even bigger and more exciting editions to come, further solidifying Bulawayo's place as a cultural hub within Zimbabwe and beyond.
