ORGANISERS of the annual RoilBulawayo Arts Awards have renamed this year’s edition of one of the awards categories in honour of the late Insimbi ZeZhwane’s co-owner Elvis “MaEli” Mathe and drummer Thembinkosi “Maviri” Mpofu.
The duo died in a road accident near Fatima High School along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway in August.
The Tshibiika/Rhumba Award has been rebranded to Insimbi Zezhwane Tshibilika/Rhumba Award.
With Ma Eli at the helm, Insimbi ZeZhwane created a unique rhumba sound which made it the most sought-after rhumba band in the Matabeleland region.
The Insimbi ZeZhwane has made a tremendous impact on the local music scene, having won several awards, including the RoilBulawayo Arts Awards and being nominated for the Outstanding Song of the Year for their track Imbemba at the Zimbabwe Music Awards.
Insimbi ZeZhwane band started recording in 2015 and to date, boasts of seven albums comprising Iseqa Mgwaqo, Inhlanzi Encane, Sizalendaba, Dikidiki, Inganekwane, Impande Yeminyela and Imbemba.
One of the awards organisers Nkululeko Nkala said they have renamed the Tshibiika/Rhumba Award to Insimbi Zezhwane Tshibilika/Rhumba Award for this edition in honour of their “comrades” who passed on two months ago.
“Roil BAA 2023 has opened up for nominations and submissions. Works produced from August 2022 to October 19, 2023, will be considered for this year’s edition of the awards.”
In preparation for the showcase and giving equal opportunities to upcoming artists, Nkala said they have lined up auditions for the in-house ensemble and likely performers for this year’s awards ceremony.
In partnership with the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust, under the Creatives Action 2 banner and named BAA Elevation, the auditions will be held at the Bulawayo Theatre on October 10.
“The partnership seeks to improve the technical presentation of the awards and to empower those in the value chain of production,” he said, adding that for the registration, full list and submissions of categories artists should visit their website, www.byoartsawards.org.