Otis Ngwabi Returns to Bulawayo to Honour Babongile Sikhonjwa and Plan December Homecoming Show

South Africa-based Afro-Jazz musician Otis Ngwabi has returned to Bulawayo, marking an emotional homecoming nearly a year after the death of his late mentor, Babongile Sikhonjwa. The visit comes at an important point in Ngwabi’s career as he looks back on the people and experiences that shaped his musical journey. He is also using his time in the city to reconnect with family, local musicians, producers and fans ahead of a planned official homecoming show in December. For Ngwabi, Bulawayo remains closely connected to his musical identity and some of the most important moments of his career. His return therefore combines remembrance, music, collaboration and plans to contribute to the city’s growing creative sector.

Ngwabi recently held an intimate unplugged performance at Three Daughters in Bulawayo as part of his return to the city. The session gave him an opportunity to reconnect with the local Afro-Jazz audience while testing the response ahead of his planned December homecoming show. Fans have reportedly been encouraging him to return to Bulawayo after spending time based in South Africa, where he has continued developing his music. During the intimate performance, he performed several songs from his catalogue, including Ndiwe, Molo Ntombi, Amalobolo, Enhlizweni Yami and Uhambo Lwami. He also used the gathering to showcase Amalobolo, his latest extended play.

The return has particular emotional significance because of Ngwabi’s relationship with Sikhonjwa, who mentored him during his early musical journey. Ngwabi recalls writing the lyrics to Ndiwe while sitting inside Sikhonjwa’s yellow Datsun in Bulawayo. The song later became a major part of Ngwabi’s musical identity and helped establish his name in Zimbabwean music. He has described Bulawayo as the city that made him and connected the place directly to the beginnings of his songwriting career. His memories of creating Ndiwe in Sikhonjwa’s car have therefore become an important part of the story behind his music.

Ngwabi also credits other figures from Bulawayo’s music community with helping shape his development as an artiste. Among them is Albert Nyathi, whom he says also mentored him during his career. His musical journey reflects the influence of experienced artistes and creative figures who have helped younger musicians develop their voices. Sikhonjwa’s mentorship remains especially significant because of the connection between the late broadcaster, musician and Ngwabi’s early work. Returning to Bulawayo close to the anniversary of Sikhonjwa’s death has consequently given Ngwabi an opportunity to reflect on that influence while paying his respects to his late mentor’s family.

During his week-long stay in Bulawayo, Ngwabi intends to visit family and spend time with Sikhonjwa’s relatives. He said he wanted to use his limited time in the city productively because his main base remains in South Africa. The musician also expressed a desire to do more in Bulawayo than simply arrive for a performance and leave shortly afterwards. His comments point to an interest in maintaining a stronger connection with the city despite living outside Zimbabwe. For Ngwabi, returning home involves reconnecting with the people and creative environment that played a role in his development.

The musician also plans to spend time working with local artistes and music producers during his visit. He has identified Nashville at Rock Up Studio, Sikhosana Buhlungu and Cammelita among the people he hopes to work with, while also leaving room for collaborations with other music colleagues. These planned studio sessions could give Ngwabi an opportunity to exchange ideas with musicians working in Bulawayo while bringing lessons from his time in South Africa back to the local scene. His approach reflects an interest in collaboration rather than simply performing for an audience. He has said his intention is to contribute to Bulawayo’s creative sector while making his short stay as productive as possible.

Ngwabi’s December homecoming show is now emerging as the main focus of his return to Bulawayo. The Three Daughters unplugged session served as an opportunity to reconnect with listeners and gauge the local response before the larger event. He has said he is open to working with local promoters and sponsors as preparations continue. Ngwabi stressed that he does not see his return as a competition with other musicians or industry players, but as an opportunity to contribute to the city’s Afro-Jazz scene. He wants to work with promoters, sponsors and young artistes to help develop the genre in Bulawayo in a professional and sustainable way.

The planned homecoming also comes at a time when Ngwabi is building on the work he has done while based in Mzansi. He said his time in South Africa has taught him a great deal, while returning to Bulawayo continues to give him a sense of grounding. His latest extended play, Amalobolo, formed part of his recent intimate performance and provides another body of work for local audiences to experience. By combining his existing catalogue with newer material, Ngwabi can reconnect with listeners who have followed his career while introducing his latest creative direction. The December event is expected to build on that renewed connection, although the exact format will depend on the arrangements made with promoters and other partners.

Details about the official homecoming show, including the date and venue, have not yet been finalised. Ngwabi said the information will be announced through his official social media platforms once the arrangements are complete. Until then, his week in Bulawayo provides an important opportunity to honour Sikhonjwa, reconnect with family and strengthen relationships within the local music industry. His planned studio collaborations also show that the visit is about more than a single performance, with the musician seeking to engage with artistes and producers in the city. As he prepares for December, Ngwabi’s return brings together memories of where his musical journey began and his ambitions for what he can contribute to Bulawayo’s Afro-Jazz scene.