Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
TOMORROW marks the 23rd National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA), where showbiz enthusiasts will gather to celebrate outstanding talent.
The spacious Harare Hippodrome will host this prestigious ceremony.
Top showbiz watchers have already shared their opinions, with some dismissing the 23rd NAMAs as a joke, while others have welcomed them prompting the event organisers – the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe – to clarify their position.
Like any awards ceremony, the NAMAs are not without controversies, shortcomings, and technical hiccups.
These major talking points are not new to fans, although they always expect event organisers and their partners to up their game.
The NACZ communications and marketing manager Agga Nyabinde told The Herald Arts that they were ready for the 23rd edition.
“We are ready for the awards. There are international guests who are coming to witness the awards,” he said.
To ensure that guests attending the event or following online and on television are engaged, an array of top performers led by Jah Prayzah will perform.
Below is the full list of nominees vying for awards:
1) Dance Awards
Outstanding Female Dancer
Tanaka Machikicho in Into the Light
Ellain Ncube in Black Fever
Celine Madziva in Respect My Team
Outstanding Male Dancer
Ngonidzashe Mudyariwa a.k.a Alvin Ngonie in Ndichatarisa
Tichaona “Hero” Chikara in Into the Light
Terrence Kapesa in Respect My Dream
Outstanding Dance Group/Production
Salt ‘n’ Light – Into the Light
Khaya Arts Productions in UniAfrican
Afrikera Arts Trust in Ndichatarisa
Outstanding Choreographer
Future Dube – Khaya Arts Productions
Hillary Indie – Ellysium Magna
Tichaona Hero Chikara – Salt ‘n’ Light
2) Visual Arts Awards
Outstanding Male Visual Artist
Ismael Mposa
Gareth Nyandoro
Moffat Takadiwa
Outstanding Female Visual Artist
Portia Zvavahera
Shamila Aasha
Sinqobile Shamiso Dube
Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist
Fungai Marima
Kundai Nathan
Nothando Chiwanga
Outstanding Exhibition
Our Father’s Inheritance Does Not Allow Us to Rest by Admire Kamudzengerere, curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa
A Woman’s Yoke by Sinqobile Shamiso Dube, curated by Doris Kampira
6th Venice Biennale by Various Artists, curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa
3) Spoken Word Awards
Outstanding Poet
Sithandazile Dube a.k.a Um’Africakazi
Kudakwashe Rice
Mighty Mahembe a.k.a General Fire Colloss
Outstanding Social Media Skits
Admire Mushambi a.k.a Mama Vee
Panashe Gurende a.k.a Moojaya
Bashimane Mothusi Ndlovu a.k.a Sikhobokhobo Madlela
Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian
Nigel Maritinyu a.k.a Nigel Slick Pastor
Mbongeni Ignatius Ndlovu
Mukudzei Majoni a.k.a King Kandoro
4) Theatre Awards
Outstanding Actress
Chidochangu Tenga as Molly in Molly Street
Caroline Mashingaidze Zimbizi as Tete Sabina in Family Riots
Munashe Goromonzi as Girl’s Mother and a Girl in The Aftermath
Outstanding Actor
Ronald Madodana Sigeca as Factual Gumunyu in Promise
Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi as Moris and multiple characters in Haywire
Michael Kudakwashe as Sidney in Family Riots
Outstanding Theatrical Production
The Aftermath – Patsimeredu Trust
Promise – Savanna Trust
Family Riots – Almas Collaborative Arts
Outstanding Director
Promise by Teddy Mangawa
Haywire by Everson Ndlovu
Aftermath by Nobert Makoche
Outstanding Playwright
Promise by Leonard Matsa
Molly Street by Peter Churu
Family Riots by Gideon J Wabvuta
5) Literary Arts Awards
Outstanding First Published Work
Zagamo: The War Within by Ray Mawerera, published by Royalty Books
Mafuta Enguruve by Trust Mutekwa, published by Carnelian Heart Publishing Limited
A Father’s Agony and Other Stories by Takudzwa Chiwara, published by Royalty Books
Outstanding Children’s Book
The Tale of Jackal and Man by Joseph Matose
Chimbira neDzimwe Ngano by Primrose Dzenga, published by Torch Bearers Trust
Cartoonist by Hleko Vuma, published by Essential Publishing Company
Outstanding Fiction Book
The Full Moon Rises at Sunset by Susan Hubert – Self-Published
Weeping Tomato by Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure, published by Carnelian Heart Limited
Aziwelanga Phansi by Welshman Dube, published by Dawundethi Publishers
Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
Engage Zimbabwe: A Cultural Intelligence Handbook for Effective Diplomacy Volume I – Shona Culture by Lovemore and Chido Kuwana, published by Kuwana Media and Culture Consultants (Pvt) Ltd
Your Guide to Adulting by Rumbidzai Munyaradzi, published by Rumbidzai Munyaradzi
Entrepreneurial Success: Insights on Growing Business in a Fluid Economy by Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula, published by Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula
6) Film & Television Awards
Outstanding Actress
Chesesile Mpofu as Tabitha Dube in Inkaba
Munashe Goromonzi as Tsitsi in The November Promise
Eunice Tava Chikoore as Mamoyo in Nhoroondo
Outstanding Actor
John Mabuyane as Tembani Dube in Inkaba
Tapiwa Mavindidze as Tawanda in Nhoroondo
Skanyiso Ngwenya as Rise in Rise
Outstanding Music Video
Masahwira by Enzo Ishall, directed by AJV Entertainment
Nhemamusasa by Bagga, directed by Leoy V
Machinda by Mulanation, directed by Taurai Zidya Dollar
Mvura by Bagga, directed by KMane
Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
Inkaba by John Mabuyane
The November Promise by Derby Beta
The DNA Show by Tinashe Mugabe
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)
Taxi by Jonathan Samukange
Dollar by Tawanda Vombo
Emuva – The Battle of Emotions by Siphosethu Sibadze
Outstanding Screen Production (Full-Length Film)
See Me by Charlene Mangweni Furusa
Ndoroondo by Vusa Hlatswayo (Director) and Mukudzei Mukombe (Producer)
Neria by Trust Sayi
7) Music Awards
Outstanding Female Musician
Ashleigh Angel Moyo a.k.a Shashl
Janet Manyowa
Thamsanqa Moyo a.k.a Tamy Moyo
Outstanding Male Musician
Energy Chizanga a.k.a Freeman HKD
Hillary Marufu a.k.a Master H
Tawanda Mambo a.k.a Saintfloew
Outstanding Breakthrough Musician (formerly Outstanding Upcoming Musician)
Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa a.k.a Nisha Ts
Tania Seremwe a.k.a Young Gemini
Gift Kudakwashe Hombarume a.k.a Chillmaster
Outstanding Music Group
Joyful Praise
Shower Power
The Unveiled
Outstanding Song
Madiro by Kudakwashe Chapepa a.k.a Kae Chaps
Kana Ndanyura by Kelvin Kusikwenyu a.k.a Killer T
Gore Rino by Tembalami Tagwirei a.k.a Tembalami ft. The Unveiled
Denga by Simbarashe Magado a.k.a Hwinza
Gore Remix by Isamel Whisky a.k.a 216 Whisky ft. various artists
Outstanding Album
Me vs Me by Energy Chizanga a.k.a Freeman HKD
NOP Makoni by Nkosilathi Sibiya a.k.a Voltz JT
Trap Yevafundisi by Tawanda Mambo a.k.a Saintfloew
8) Special Awards
Promoter of the Year
Nash TV
Event Hulks
Ngoma Nehosho
Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora
Annatoria Blessing Chitapa (Music) based in the UK
Wiina Musamati (Theatre) based in the UK
Ernest Ndlovu (Film and Television Actor) South Africa
Masimba Hwati (Visual Artist) based in Poland
People’s Choice Award
Nkosilathi Sibiya aka Voltz JT
Dorcas Moyo
Theophilus Chigumira aka Mai Kilifodhi
Wallace Chirumiko a.k.a Winky D
Hillary Marufu a.k.a Master H
