Bulawayo Arts Festival postponed to June 2021

BAF was planned to provide a platform for new and established artists and enable local and global visitors to participate in the cultural life of the city while encouraging tourism and business activity. The city's leadership last year declared 1 June Bulawayo Day to celebrate its establishment in 1894.

Although postponed for next year, the festival is holding a number of music activities online via its Facebook page until 5 June. The line-up includes Selmor Mtukudzi, Jeys Marabini, Sandra Ndebele, Lorraine Stot, Mzoe 7, Vocal X, Indonsakusa, Zhezhingtons, Cal_Vin, Western Khazins and DJ Eucy.

“Due to the continuing uncertainty regarding the holding of public gatherings, the increasing number of coronavirus-positive cases, the threat to people’s health, and the potential need for an extended period of social distancing, we have taken the collective decision to suspend our 2020 programme as it was planned. We will however still recognise 1 June Bulawayo Day,” City of Bulawayo PR officer Nesisa Mpofu said.

She said the COVID-19 crisis had negatively affected the festival in terms of funding.

“Our fundraising initiatives for Bulawayo Day and Bulawayo Arts Festival have been profoundly affected by the pandemic. Some of our partners have temporarily suspended the funding of activities that fall outside the radar of COVID-19 response mechanisms. Corporates have been severely affected as well, with most recording huge losses and the risk of closure,” Mpofu said.