By BANO News Reporter
Renowned arts practitioner, playwright, and Intwasa Arts Festival KoBulawayo Director Raisedon Baya is celebrating his 52nd birthday today, marking the milestone with a heartfelt reflection on life, survival, and gratitude.
Taking to his Facebook page early Wednesday morning, Baya shared a deeply personal message following his routine morning run, describing the day as “special” and symbolic of resilience.
“52 years and counting. To think there was a time I thought I would never hit 30. Those were confusing times. Scary times to say the least,” he wrote.
Baya reflected on growing up during the height of the HIV and AIDS pandemic, a time he described as devastating and filled with uncertainty.
“We witnessed peers suffering. We witnessed death. Friends we played with just stopped playing, too weak to walk or play and then the news of their demise would reach us. That we survived is a miracle,” he said, adding that he remains thankful for divine favour and protection through the years.
Known for his wit and creative storytelling, Baya used humour to explore the realities of ageing, joking that life doesn’t begin at 40 as people often say.
“That’s a lie. Because as soon as you go the other side of 40 everyone starts calling you Topi, Mdala, Oldman… By the time you clock 52 you have completely forgotten your name,” he quipped.
In his reflective post, Baya also touched on the historical and social contrasts between Bulawayo’s suburbs and townships, noting how the abundance of trees in affluent areas tells a story of settlement patterns and perceptions of permanence.
“In the suburbs, you can count 10 trees in a yard. In the townships, you would be lucky to count 10 in a street. History is full of stories. Some sad. Some beautiful ones. It just depends on who is telling them,” he observed.
True to his vibrant personality, Baya ended his post on a celebratory note, declaring that turning 52 called for good food and laughter — not “tasteless warm water.”
“A man must eat meat. Good meat. That’s how Africans celebrate!” he wrote.
Raisedon Baya, a celebrated figure in Zimbabwe’s arts and theatre scene, continues to inspire through his creativity, mentorship, and cultural advocacy.
