A list of 100 most influential personalities from Bulawayo has created controversy after a number of people questioned the criteria used to select who was put on the list.

The list, which is actually the second one in as many years, was compiled by UrbanCulxure. They state, as a preamble to the list, “No hard feelings ladies and gentleman let’s all read and enjoy. Stay blessed. Let’s hope 2017 will be bigger, brighter and better. This year we celebrate Bulawayo. #CelebrateByo.”

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Another notable annual list, the Gorindemabwe list of 100 most influential Zimbabweans, always creates controversy, as these things do, with arguments flaming up about who should have been on the list, who should be taken off and who should be at what position.

The biggest challenge many people have with the list is that it includes a lot of personalities from Harare. This has been the motivation for lists like the Urban Culxure one.

But it too, has started a blaze of its own.

Whilst some were celebrating…

“We are proud of Miss Multiverse Zimbabwe; Samantha Tshuma who became no. 22 in the Top 100 most influential personalities from Bulawayo. Congrats Samantha.” – Miss Multiverse

“Look I am in the top 100, number 71.” – Matesu Dube

“Total Eclipse” is proud to announce that our Director, Possenti Ndabwezwe Ncube Sikosana, made it on the Top 100 Influential Personalities from Bulawayo,” – Total Eclipse Events

Others were complaining…

In a blog post titled, “On Bulawayo’s so called top 100 most influential people list”, Velempini Ndlovu wrote, “The list made me question not only the criteria the author used to bring together these people on a list but also a lot of other things.  Most of the people on the list are in my opinion not so highly esteemed save for a few exceptions and I would venture to say they are unknowns.

“I found myself asking what is an influencer? Is it someone with money? Looks? Or as some have been joking someone who drinks alcohol more than  all the others? If I accept that list as being of influential people in my home town I also would have to accept that the word influence has to have its meaning changed.

“I am not hating on most on the list but feel that most of them are too young to have made a mark even in their areas of speciality and they lack the presence that would make them influential however influential is defined.”

In various offline discussions, the same sentiments have been echoed by various people who would not go on record.

It seems the list syndrome is the same wherever you go. Even internationally, this is the case. In 2010 Time Magazine came under fire for naming Chinese activist Han Han as a potential candidate for its famous 100 Most Influential People in the World list. Critics of the decision said that there were more influential people who could have been named ahead of Han.

When Onyeka Nwelue released his list of the 20 most influential Nigerians under 20, he came under fire for this, with one critic stating that he recognised only one person on the list.

In 2012, after another list controversy with Time Magazine at its center, Marketing Land’s George Sterling wrote, “People love rankings, lists — and awards. And publishers love them too because the sell issues and drive page views. Lists and awards inspire jealousy and envy and they’re often controversial accordingly. This is also part of the appeal.”

We agree. No list will ever be without questioners, even if the controversy remains murmured in bedrooms and public toilets and never makes it to blog posts, social media rants or news headlines.

In case you’re wondering, here’s the Bulawayo list…

Urban Culxure’s 100 most influential personalities from Bulawayo 2016

  1. Raj Modi
  2. Cont Mdlala Mhlanga
  3. Trevor Ncube
  4. Phathisa Nyathi
  5. Thokozani Khuphe
  6. Peter Ndlovu
  7. Jenni Williams
  8. Albert Nyathi
  9. Heath Streak
  10. Paul Bayethe Damasane
  11. Ndumiso Gumede
  12. Raisedon Baya
  13. Arthur C Evans
  14. Sarah Mpofu – Sibanda
  15. Clive Chigubhu
  16. Butholezwe Nyathi
  17. Nkululeko Innocent Dube
  18. Jeys Marabini
  19. Zenzele Ndebele
  20. David Coltart
  21. Black Umfolosi (Musical Group)
  22. Samantha Tshuma
  23. Sihlangu Dlodlo
  24. Nicholas Moyo
  25. Gilmore Tee
  26. Njabulo Moyo
  27. Busisa Moyo
  28. Nobuntu (Musical Group)
  29. Philani A Nyoni
  30. Patience Phiri
  31. Lorraine Maphala Phiri
  32. Ezra Tshisa Sibanda
  33. Insingizi (Musical Group)
  34. Simon Mambazo Phiri
  35. Themba Ndlovu
  36. Methembe Ndlovu
  37. Benjamin Mwaruwari
  38. AWA
  39. Ntando Van Moyo
  40. Priscillah Sithole
  41. Beks Ndlovu
  42. Ariel Sibanda
  43. Kudzai Chikomo
  44. Cosmos Tsano Zulu
  45. Eric Moyo
  46. Christopher Mpofu
  47. Babongile Sikhonjwa
  48. Qhubani Moyo
  49. Dj Mzoe
  50. Rahman Gumbo
  51. Naboth Rizzla
  52. John Eppel
  53. Thabani H Moyo
  54. Soneni Thandeka Gwizi
  55. Cal_vin
  56. Zandile Ndlovu
  57. Sithethelele Kwinji15 Sibanda
  58. Nkululeko Nkala
  59. Bekithemba Ndlovu
  60. Felix Moyo
  61. Matesu Dube
  62. Sizwakele R.Ndlovu
  63. Desire Moyoxide
  64. Nesisa Mpofu
  65. Josh Nyapimbi
  66. Taffie Dube
  67. Desmond Ntini
  68. POY
  69. Zenzo Moyo
  70. Sibusiso Bhebhe
  71. Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda
  72. Bruce Ncube AKA Bruno Ashley
  73. Oliver Keith
  74. Julian Tshuma
  75. Johaness Ngodzo
  76. Witness Tavarwisa
  77. Emity Smooth
  78. Martin Sibanda
  79. Shuna Herscovitz
  80. William Nyandoro
  81. Djembe Monks (Musical Group)
  82. Nkululeko Ncube -Arakani
  83. Mothusi Rashimane Ndlovu
  84. Reason Sibanda
  85. Fortune Tazvivinga
  86. Joe Maseko
  87. Mbo Mahocs
  88. Runyararo Mutandi
  89. Mzoe 7
  90. Aljoy Chikowo
  91. Khumbulani Mathe
  92. Archie Mhone
  93. Thembie Terry Zulu
  94. Possenti Ndabezwe Sikhosana
  95. Andy Cutta
  96. Nomvuyo Rosa Tshuma
  97. Valentine Tusai
  98. Sindiso Dube
  99. Angelbert Wamambo
  100. Maestro IV