Bulawayo Arts Awards 2026: First Batch of Nominees Revealed Ahead of November 28 Ceremony

Excitement is building in Bulawayo as the organisers of the prestigious Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA) officially begin unveiling nominees for the ninth edition of the annual celebration of creative excellence. The announcement has sparked anticipation among artistes, industry professionals and fans eager to discover who will be competing for recognition at this year’s awards. In a move designed to keep the city’s entertainment and creative community engaged, organisers have adopted an hourly nominee-reveal format across their social media platforms. The gradual announcements are expected to maintain excitement throughout the day as more categories and shortlisted contenders are introduced. The main awards ceremony is scheduled for November 28, although the venue has not yet been announced.

The first batch of nominations has placed the spotlight on visual and performing arts, recognising photographers, theatre actors and theatre productions that have made an impression through their creative work. These opening categories have already introduced several familiar names and productions into the awards conversation. The nominations also highlight the range of artistic talent contributing to Bulawayo’s cultural landscape. From visual storytelling behind the camera to compelling performances on stage, the shortlisted entries demonstrate the diversity of creative expression celebrated by the Bulawayo Arts Awards. With more nominations expected to follow, the first announcement has provided an exciting introduction to the competition.

In the Outstanding Arts Photographer category, three nominees have been shortlisted for recognition. Franklyn Visuals, Khanya Media and Visuals By Corey will compete for the award, which celebrates the contribution of photography to the arts and creative industries. Arts photography plays an important role in documenting performances, preserving cultural moments and presenting creative work to wider audiences. Through their images, photographers help capture the atmosphere and emotion of artistic events while giving audiences another way to experience the work of performers and creatives. The three nominations place the spotlight on the visual storytellers whose work contributes to the visibility of the city’s arts scene.

The Outstanding Theatre Actress category features three performers whose work has earned them places on the shortlist. Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu and Thembela Hlambeko have both been nominated for their performances in The Play That Went Wrong. Chantelle Moyo completes the shortlist for her role in I Don’t Want To Die, a production by Purple Brain Productions. The nominations recognise the contribution of actresses to theatre through character interpretation, emotional expression and the ability to bring written stories to life. The competition will provide an opportunity to celebrate the performances that have stood out during the period under consideration by the awards organisers.

The Outstanding Theatre Actor category also promises an interesting contest, with three performers representing different productions. John Mabuyane has received a nomination for The Empty Frame, while Cadrick Msongelwa is shortlisted for his performance in ZI Animal Farm. Leroy Mthulisi Ndlovu completes the category with his role in The Play That Went Wrong. Their nominations highlight the importance of male performers in creating engaging theatre experiences and bringing complex characters to the stage. The category will recognise the actor whose performance is considered outstanding among the shortlisted entries.

The Outstanding Theatre Production category features three productions competing for one of the major theatre honours. The Play That Went Wrong, presented by Bulawayo Theatre, has secured a nomination alongside The Empty Frame, associated with John Mabuyane. I Don’t Want To Die, produced by Purple Brain Productions, completes the shortlist. The nominations reflect the collaborative nature of theatre, where writers, directors, actors and production teams work together to create performances for audiences. Recognition in this category celebrates the overall quality and creative achievement of a production rather than the contribution of a single performer.

The appearance of The Play That Went Wrong in several categories is particularly notable. The production has secured nominations for Outstanding Theatre Actress through Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu and Thembela Hlambeko, Outstanding Theatre Actor through Leroy Mthulisi Ndlovu and Outstanding Theatre Production. This multiple-category presence gives the production a strong profile in the opening round of announcements. It also reflects the contribution of different performers and the wider production team to its theatrical presentation. Whether it converts those nominations into awards remains to be seen when the winners are announced.

The hourly announcement strategy has added another layer of excitement to the ninth edition of the Bulawayo Arts Awards. Instead of releasing the complete shortlist at once, organisers are giving audiences an opportunity to follow each announcement as it happens. This approach keeps nominees, supporters and industry observers actively engaged with the awards throughout the day. It also gives individual categories their own moment in the spotlight, allowing attention to focus on the achievements of the shortlisted artistes. For fans, the process creates anticipation as they wait to discover which of their favourite performers and creative personalities have made the cut.

The Bulawayo Arts Awards have become an important platform for celebrating the city’s creative community and recognising achievements across different artistic disciplines. Such events provide visibility for established artistes while also creating opportunities to acknowledge emerging talent. They help bring together people working in different areas of the creative sector, encouraging appreciation of the effort involved in producing music, theatre, visual art and other forms of entertainment. For Bulawayo, a city with a diverse cultural identity, celebrating local creativity also reinforces the importance of preserving and developing its artistic traditions. The ninth edition therefore carries significance beyond the awards themselves, bringing attention to the people and organisations contributing to the region’s cultural life.

As the remaining nominee announcements continue, attention will gradually shift towards the full range of categories and the eventual list of contenders for the 2026 awards. Artistes and their supporters are expected to follow the updates closely, particularly as the competition begins to take shape. The November 28 ceremony will provide the platform for celebrating the nominees and recognising the eventual winners. Organisers are yet to announce the venue, leaving one important detail for audiences and guests to anticipate. Until then, the hourly reveals will remain a major talking point across Bulawayo’s entertainment and arts circles.

With the first nominations now public, the ninth Bulawayo Arts Awards have officially entered an exciting phase. The recognition of photographers, theatre actresses, actors and productions provides a strong opening to this year’s celebration of creative excellence. The shortlisted artistes will now look forward to the November ceremony, where their work will receive further recognition. As more categories are unveiled, the awards are expected to generate even greater interest across Matabeleland’s creative community. For Bulawayo’s artistes and arts enthusiasts, the countdown to November 28 has begun, with the promise of an evening dedicated to celebrating talent, creativity and the people shaping the city’s cultural identity.