The Chronicle
Bongani Ndlovu, showbiz reporter
He did everything. Now he wants to rest, be a better person, take responsibility and be a role model for his son.
This is Babongile Sikhonjwa, a person well known in the showbiz scene of Bulawayo and possibly Zimbabwe for his comedy MCing as a radio host and entertainer.
Sikhonjwa is a household name in Bulawayo’s entertainment community.
He’s been doing it since high school at Umzingwane and Milton High, where he organized shows and dramas while there.
A staunch supporter of Highlanders Football Club with the goal of becoming vice chairman, Sikhonjwa was born on June 20, 1976 at the Marondera Polyclinic in Bulawayo.
He says Zimbabwe’s first health minister, Dr. Herbert Ushewokunze, gave birth to him.
Sikhonjwa studied at the Baines Infant School from 1st to 2nd grade and then moved to Harare when his father, who was a teacher, got a job as a lecturer at Belvedere Teachers’ College.
In Harare, Sikhonjwa says he studied up to fourth grade at Mt Batten Primary School. His father was then promoted to education officer and he moved to Gweru, where he attended fifth and sixth grades at Cecil John Rhodes Primary School.
The family moved back to Bulawayo, where Sikhonjwa was enrolled at Baines Primary School to complete his primary education.
He then enrolled at Mzingwane High School for his O-Level and then completed his A-Level at Milton High School.
“Growing up, the path I always found myself on was entertainment. If there were variety shows I would sing, play instruments, joke and do MCing.
Anyone who has gone to school with me will confirm that I am not lost where I am, ”said Sikhonjwa.
He said during his years at Mzingwane High School he met people like Iyasa director Nkululeko Dube and was part of the theater club.
Thank you We are identified
At Milton High School he organized shows with his peers and hired celebrity DJs such as 3FM presenters Peter Johns, Tich Mataz and The Hitman for variety shows.
In Milton, he was friends with the likes of former Zimbabwe men’s cricket team Fast Bowler and current cricket commentator Mpumelelo Mbangwa, who was the Head Boy, Thulani Moyo, Shingirai Samuriwo, Lionel Deneker, and Chronicle Sports editor Dingilizwe Ntuli.
The people who were influential in building his career were Otis Fraser and Kimble Rogers, who promoted the careers of many up-and-coming musicians from the city.
Sikhonjwa is known to be a showman. Enjoying the spotlight, he said he once bought a limo and took friends and artists around town in it.
To celebrate his 40th birthday, he organized a train party and the train left Bulawayo station with night owls on its way to Redwood and the who’s who of Bulawayo were there and partied with him.
When the party ended in Redwood, Sikhonjwa proposed marriage to his then girlfriend Nanji Taswa-Banda.
It took everyone by surprise, and soon the couple had a child, whom he named Qobolwakhe.
Sikhonjwa says the reason he named his son Qobolwakhe was because he should have an identity.
“I want my son to have an identity, that’s why I named him Qobolwakhe. It’s his identity wherever he goes, he has that identity that people know he is Ndebele and proud of.
Like me, I was conceived about three years after my parents married.
You know, it used to be very different for people to be without a child for so long, and then they called me Babongile, ”Sikhonjwa said.
But everything that was rosy in his life collapsed when he and Nanji became friends a few years later, according to Sikhonjwa.
“It didn’t work out, we have different loads in our different areas. I think entertainers, bar owners, and showbiz folks have weird lifestyles.
So sometimes they are incompatible with a person doing a 9-to-five job.
There was time for her to rest on the weekend, but it was time for me to work. So we went our separate ways on friendly terms.
That’s why there was no announcement and we just kept quiet and left it that way.
“We’re in very good books and I hope it doesn’t get messy.
At Christmas they are invited to our home and I also go to their family, we have one child, ”said Sikhonjwa.
Now he is focused on being a father and friend to his child, whom his face shines when he talks about it.
“Iyangichaza itshomi leyana! Most of the time I’ll be busy, but whatever little gap I can get, I’ll try to spend time with him.
During the first lockdown, I was with him every day because he was with me. I want him to be my friend, ngingabi nguBaba!
“I also teach him respect and try to study him. He’s a fun guy; he loves things related to art.
I’ve already recorded with him. I did one song with (the late) Cal Vin and we have another one with Samuzik, ”said Sikhonjwa.
He said Qobolwakhe was a smart kid because his thinking was above that of nine-year-olds as he wanted to have conversations with the elderly.
One of the reasons Sikhonjwa believes caused his life to change was his near death experience following a car accident in December 2014.
Sikhonjwa was involved in a car accident along with fellow comedian Clive Chigubu and a friend in Nguboyenja after attending various festive events in Bulawayo.
Sikhonjwa, who was driving a Mercedes Benz C230 at the time, was unable to turn the Nguboyenja flyover and lost control of the vehicle, causing it to hit a lamppost before tipping over.
He stayed in the hospital for almost a month.
As he talks about this episode in his life, Sikhonjwa’s voice deepens as he describes it as a turning point in his life.
“It was an unfortunate incident, I should say.
We drank, partied, and worked at two or three events each day.
It was a sad time.
It’s so fun that tragedy can bring people closer and appreciate some people in your life.
This is a time when I have to appreciate people who like and love me.
The whole time I thought that I was going to die with a few ideas that didn’t work out. That hurt me, ”said Sikhonjwa.
While he was thinking, Sikhonjwa said he was a better driver now, adding that he doesn’t want to come into this situation again.
“When I sleep in the club, those days are over. I’m saQobo now, ”he said.
Looking to the future, Sikhonjwa aims to become vice chairman of Highlanders Football Club. He threw his hat into the fray.
“Two years ago, I posted on social media that I wanted to be vice chairman.
It wasn’t the parliamentary term, but I tested the water.
This time it’s real. The vice chairman is not really a political post as he will be responsible for the club’s amenities, ”said Sikhonjwa.
He said he was interested in the position because he wanted to take care of the clubhouse so that it could make money.
“I think I can contribute a lot because this is my field.
I’ve been a Lifetime Member since 2007 I believe.
Now when you walk into the Highlanders Clubhouse you can’t say Siyinqaba and be proud of it.
Check out what’s happening at Zim Saints, what happens at every other sports club we can do.
I believe that I am older and wiser and that I can do it, ”said Sikhonjwa. – Follow @bongankunzi on Twitter