adminBongani Ndlovu and Rutendo Kanogoiwa Showbiz Reporters
IT’S all systems go tonight as the 14th edition of the National Art Merit Awards take place at the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare. There are nine categories and 32 accolades up for grabs in the disciplines such as Spoken Word, Music, Film and Video, Theatre, Dance, Literary, Media, Visual Arts and Special Awards.
Zimdancehall man of the moment Tocky Vibes (real name Obey Makamure) is tipped to scoop all the music awards and the People’s Choice Award. Tocky is in the running to equal Jah Prayzah’s 2014 feat of four accolades if popularity is used as a yard stick.
He will be in the running with fellow dancehall artistes such as Killa T and Shinsoman with Sulumani Chimbetu wrapping up the list.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe communications officer Cathrine Mthombeni said the Namas were meant to help market artistes locally and internationally.
“The Namas provide an opportunity for the publicity and marketing of the arts locally and internationally. They also encourage and attract more players to join the arts and culture sector,” she said.
Mthombeni said the Namas were supposed to increase the appreciation and consumption of Zimbabwean art locally and internationally.
“They (Namas) confirm the arts and cultural industries as capable of improving the status and quality of life of practitioners,” she said.
Comedian Carl Joshua Ncube who won the Outstanding Comedian Award in 2013 said winning the award had brought good deals with regards his career.
“Personally my CV has been elevated and I’m getting more bookings. Internationally I’m doing very well and I’m planning a trip to UK but not yet sure of the places I will be visiting. My market has widened and it’s already a good year for me”, he said.
Ncube said the award was an endorsement of their talent and artistes should applaud the Nama organizers for their efforts.
“An award is an endorsement of their talent. A trophy is more valuable than the prize or the money itself. I think it’s a bad habit that artists are complaining and blasting Nama organisers. They’re already facing their own challenges so these artists should see it as an endorsement of their talent and appreciate the recognition,” said Ncube.
Jah Prayzah said he did not worry much about anything except recognition.
“I’m happy because I’m now recognized by people. Those who didn’t know me now have a rough idea of who I am. I’ve been fully exposed and it makes me happy. My market has increased and I can say I’m now more popular”, he said.
Obert Dube who won the Outstanding Poet Award in 2013 said winning the award has enabled him to get gigs outside the country.
“Winning an award made me more popular outside the country than locally. My work is more appreciated in Botswana and South Africa than it is locally. Most of my stuff is being played frequently on Saint F.M in England and that’s a good thing. I’ve travelled to Botswana and took part in their festival. I also performed at the memorial of Masgandi musician Khwele Bhasini in South Africa together with the other artists and poets,” he said.
Online Reporter