adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
ARTISTES have expressed excitement over their nominations for the National Art Merit Awards saying the recognition would boost their careers and winning the awards would be an icing on the cake.The Nama will this year return to their usual venue – the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare on February 14 with the who’s who of the arts industry expected to attend. Iyasa who were nominated in three categories – best group, best male dancer and female said their nomination showed the group had become a brand to be reckoned with.
“Almost every year Iyasa is nominated in one of the Nama categories. It’s a sign that we’ve become a brand. Win or no win, this shows that we’re visible nationally,” Iyasa director Nkululeko Dube said.
He said it would be their fourth time scooping the Nama in the Outstanding Dance Group award, if they win.
“We’ve won the award before and we’re hoping to bag it for the fourth time. The last time we won it was three years ago and it’s only natural that we win it again,” he said.
Zim dancehall musician Tocky Vibes who was for the first time nominated in three categories, said he was glad to have been nominated for such prestigious awards.
“We’re glad to have been nominated for such prestigious awards. Naturally we want to win, but it’s in the hands of the judges and our fans,” Tocky’s manager – Elvis Bokosha said.
Sulumani Chimbetu who was nominated in two categories, Outstanding Male Musician and Outstanding Album said just being nominated for the awards was a great achievement for him.
“To be nominated is a great recognition and it makes me happy,” Sulumani said.
The dendera musician who has grown from strength to strength will be taking his latest offering Gunship to Masvingo tomorrow followed by another show in Beitbridge on Saturday.
Fast rising comedian Clive Chigubu who is up for the Outstanding Comedian award for the second time, said being nominated meant he needed to work harder. “Just being nominated shows that I’ve caught people’s attention but the challenge now is that I’ve to churn out good stuff always. I’ll not relax just because I’ve been nominated,” he said.
Chigubu said he had an equal chance to win the gong as his counterparts Doc Vikela and Uncle Ritchie. Uncle Ritchie of the Zvirikumbofamba Sei fame said he was looking forward to the awards night and was grateful for the nomination.
Poet Sithandazile Dube who was nominated for Outstanding Poet and has never been awarded, said she was excited that her talent was constantly getting national recognition.
“I’ve been nominated for the Namas before but have never won and I hope to win the award this time. However, the bigger picture is getting recognised nationally for your talent,” Dube said.
Bulawayo-based music video producer Andy Cutta who was nominated for Best Music Video producer urged judges to adjudicate on quality of production and not popularity of the song.
“I like being nominated and I hope the judges will look at the quality of a music video, not the popularity of the song. That’s my suggestion as a producer,” he said.
Meanwhile, voting for the People’s Choice award is ongoing with people voting for their favourite artistes in seven disciplines, music, literary arts, dance, visual arts, film and television, theatre and spoken word.
“With the People’s Choice Award, the voting public get to choose their favourite artiste or arts practitioner by sending a message to 39436. The format to text a message is: NAMA # FULL NAME of their favourite artiste who they want to win the People’s Choice Award.
For example NAMA# Samson Dube, or NAMA# Mabandla Tapiwa,” National Arts Council of Zimbabwe spokesperson Cathrine Mthombeni said.
The winner will be announced during the awards ceremony. In the past, the People’s Choice Award has been won by musicians and only last year it was won by contemporary musician Jah Prayzah.
This year is no different as Zim dancehall man-of-the-moment Tocky Vibes has already been touted to scoop the award judging by his popularity in the country.
Local stars and productions that people can vote for include Iyasa dancer Roben Mlauzi and Cheryl Mabaya and their group, the play, Umbiko KaMadlenya and its cast such as Memory Kumbota and Bathabile Dlamini.
Other artistes to look out for include Chigubu and Dube.
Online Reporter