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Daisy Jeremani
NATIONAL Arts Merit Awards (Nama) ceremony was a night of emotional highs and lows, with an ecstatic Jah Prayzah walking away with four gongs, while filmmaker, Enock Chihombori could not contain his tears, while narrating how his production was pirated.The event, which was held at a Bulawayo hotel on Saturday night, saw Jah Prayzah walk away with accolades in three categories in which he had been nominated.
He was nominated in the Outstanding Male Musician, Outstanding Album and Outstanding Song categories. The contemporary reggae artiste even bagged the People’s Choice Award, cementing him as the people’s favourite artiste of the moment.
Each time he took to the stage he would play “soldier” by saluting those who would handed him the gong. Clad in military fatigues, the talented musician received a standing ovation when his name was called out for the third and fourth time.
After receiving his second gong for Outstanding Album he quipped: “Nama yazondinama nama.”
Coming out tops in a competition that had his work competing against other popular products was evidence that the young man’s future in the country’s music industry is bright.
However, it was a bitter-sweet win for Chihombori who expressed grief in tears after a self-funded project, Gringo the Trouble Marker was pirated.
“What makes me bitter is that I used my own money, money that I had asked my wife to spare,” he said between sobs.
The filmmaker dedicated the award to the children of the late Lillian Chidavaenzi, one of the women that he worked with on the production, but passed away before the film was released.
“Lillian always said, ‘I am doing this for my children’. I dedicate this award to them. However, what will I tell them then, that their mother worked for nothing?
“Somebody needs to do something, help us people” said Chihombori.
Mai Olivia Charamba who won in the Outstanding Female award weighed in on Chihombori’s narrative saying they were being suffocated out of business.
She also dismissed the assertion people have that artistes recoup their losses from piracy through live shows.
“We have been priced out of the venues. In some cities we are required to pay to put up posters, it’s rough out there,” she said.
Responding to the call when he was handing over the prize to People’s Choice Award winner, the guest of honour, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa said, he had heard the distress call from the artistes and his office would address their concerns.
The awards dinner saw an array of entertainment from various artistes, among them the legendary Dorothy “Aunty Dot” Masuka of the Patapata fame. She was backed by Sandra “Sandy” Ndebele and a local band, Outfit on the song Angizenzisi Bangiloyile. Before that Sandy and her group Izintombi Zomqangala and a combined Bulawayo dance ensemble had taken to the stage with their acts.
The youthful dance group Antivirus displayed its sleek moves, dancing to a medley of songs from John Legend, Oliver Mtukudzi, Eminem, the late Chiwoniso and their own song Pokello. The video of the song has gone viral on Youtube.
The event was attended by a number of dignitaries, among them former Cabinet Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, the principal director in the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture, Reverend Paul Bayethe Damasane, Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo.
Socialites who included Miss Bulawayo Mellisa Chaka, Miss Zimbabwe Bongani Dhlakama also attended.
Below is the list of winners:
DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Group- 8 Count Dance Crew
Outstanding Female Dancer
Maylene Chenjerai – Tumbuka Dance Company
Outstanding Male Dancer
Peter Lenso – Tumbuka Dance Company
Outstanding Choreographer
Sean George Mabwere – Rolex Dance Crew
VISUAL ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding Mix Media – Nhapwasikana by Forbes Mushipe
Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work – Indigenisation by Israel Israel
Outstanding Exhibition – No Nominees
SPOKEN WORD AWARD
Outstanding Comedian – Simba Kakora aka Simba the Comic King
Outstanding Poet – Obert Dube
THEATRE/DRAMA AWARDS
Outstanding Actress – Nyaradzo Nhongonhema in Pub Stories
Outstanding Actor – Tafadzwa Hananda in Pub Stories and Half Empty
Outstanding Theatrical Production – Pub Stories by Savannah Trust
LITERARY AWARDS
Outstanding First Creative Published Work – Zviwiravanhu written by Tinomutenda Mpofu and Published by College Press
Outstanding Children’s Book – The River god Unyaminyami written by Fortune Tazvivinga, Published by Art and Ceramics Publishers
Outstanding Fiction Book- Imbwa Yemunhu written by Ignatius Mabasa Published by Bhabu Books
MEDIA AWARDS
Outstanding Journalist Print- Shamiso Yikoniko – Sunday Mail
Outstanding Journalist TV- Sifiso Mpofu – ZBC
Outstanding Journalist Radio- Problem Masau – Star FM
Outstanding Online Media – Zimbojam
FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS
Outstanding Actor – Nash Mphepho in Decoder
Outstanding Actress – Eunice Tava in Sinners
Outstanding Music Video – Mwanasikana by Willard Magombedze featuring Jah Prayzah
Outstanding Screen Production – Full Length Film-Gringo the Trouble Maker by Enock Chihombori
Outstanding Screen Production – Short Film-Decoder by Jasen Mphepho
Outstanding Screen Production (TV)
MUSIC AWARDS
Outstanding Female Musician – Olivia Charamba
Outstanding Male Musician – Mukudzei Makombe aka Jah Prayzah
Outstanding Album – Tsviriyo by Mukudzei Makombe aka Jah Prayzah
Outstanding Song – Tsviriyo from Tsviriyo by Mukudzei Makombe aka Jah Prayzah
SPECIAL AWARDS
Promoter of the Year
Arts Personality Awards – Oliver Mtukudzi
Arts Service Award – Intwasa Festival KoBulawayo
Peoples’ Choice Award – Jah Prayzah
Online Reporter