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.”
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
- Raj Modi
- Cont Mdlala Mhlanga
- Trevor Ncube
- Phathisa Nyathi
- Thokozani Khuphe
- Peter Ndlovu
- Jenni Williams
- Albert Nyathi
- Heath Streak
- Paul Bayethe Damasane
- Ndumiso Gumede
- Raisedon Baya
- Arthur C Evans
- Sarah Mpofu – Sibanda
- Clive Chigubhu
- Butholezwe Nyathi
- Nkululeko Innocent Dube
- Jeys Marabini
- Zenzele Ndebele
- David Coltart
- Black Umfolosi (Musical Group)
- Samantha Tshuma
- Sihlangu Dlodlo
- Nicholas Moyo
- Gilmore Tee
- Njabulo Moyo
- Busisa Moyo
- Nobuntu (Musical Group)
- Philani A Nyoni
- Patience Phiri
- Lorraine Maphala Phiri
- Ezra Tshisa Sibanda
- Insingizi (Musical Group)
- Simon Mambazo Phiri
- Themba Ndlovu
- Methembe Ndlovu
- Benjamin Mwaruwari
- AWA
- Ntando Van Moyo
- Priscillah Sithole
- Beks Ndlovu
- Ariel Sibanda
- Kudzai Chikomo
- Cosmos Tsano Zulu
- Eric Moyo
- Christopher Mpofu
- Babongile Sikhonjwa
- Qhubani Moyo
- Dj Mzoe
- Rahman Gumbo
- Naboth Rizzla
- John Eppel
- Thabani H Moyo
- Soneni Thandeka Gwizi
- Cal_vin
- Zandile Ndlovu
- Sithethelele Kwinji15 Sibanda
- Nkululeko Nkala
- Bekithemba Ndlovu
- Felix Moyo
- Matesu Dube
- Sizwakele R.Ndlovu
- Desire Moyoxide
- Nesisa Mpofu
- Josh Nyapimbi
- Taffie Dube
- Desmond Ntini
- POY
- Zenzo Moyo
- Sibusiso Bhebhe
- Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda
- Bruce Ncube AKA Bruno Ashley
- Oliver Keith
- Julian Tshuma
- Johaness Ngodzo
- Witness Tavarwisa
- Emity Smooth
- Martin Sibanda
- Shuna Herscovitz
- William Nyandoro
- Djembe Monks (Musical Group)
- Nkululeko Ncube -Arakani
- Mothusi Rashimane Ndlovu
- Reason Sibanda
- Fortune Tazvivinga
- Joe Maseko
- Mbo Mahocs
- Runyararo Mutandi
- Mzoe 7
- Aljoy Chikowo
- Khumbulani Mathe
- Archie Mhone
- Thembie Terry Zulu
- Possenti Ndabezwe Sikhosana
- Andy Cutta
- Nomvuyo Rosa Tshuma
- Valentine Tusai
- Sindiso Dube
- Angelbert Wamambo
- Maestro IV