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This resolution came out of a consultative meeting organised by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) at Mhlahlandlela offices.
The meeting, which was attended by NACZ director, Elvas Mari, and his deputy Nicholas Moyo, was meant to review the awards format and find out how it could be improved.
After the meeting it was resolved that the budget for the awards in Bulawayo would be about $105 000.
Addressing artistes who included Majahawodwa “Jeys Marabini” Ndlovu, Chase Skuza, Raisedon Baya and Taurai Moyo, NACZ director said the decision to move the awards from Harare was made last year.
He said they approached Amakhosi Cultural Centre and made the proposal, but they were told that the project was not viable.
“We approached Amakhosi so as to partner with them in organising the event in Bulawayo. After sometime they told us that the project was not viable and that was when we decided to return the awards to Harare,” said Mari.
He said now that the decision has been made that Nama awards will be held in the City of Kings, their success is hinged on the Bulawayo taskforce.
“We as NACZ are fully committed to the event being in Bulawayo. So the onus is upon you the taskforce to make the event a success,” said Mari.
Artistes said judges should come from other places out of Harare so that there is no bias towards Harare artistes. “It will not be recognised as long as judges come from Harare. NACZ should look at that so that some of us from remote areas are recognised,” said an artiste from Dete.
A female artiste said it is important to also recognise female artistes in life achievement awards inorder to encourage others to get into the arts industry.
“There are female artistes, people who have achieved a lot such as Tsitsi Dangarembga, Dorothy Masuka and the late Dr Yvonne Vera. These are some of the women who have achieved a lot in the arts industry and they deserve to be recognised,” she said.
Jeys Marabini noted that superstars were being pitted against up and coming artistes, a situation that hindered the growth of the up and coming artiste.
“There should be a separate category so that the established artistes get pitted with each other.
Surely, if I am pitted with Oliver Mutukudzi and I win, that will be the shock of the decade.
“If we cannot separate these guys from upcoming artistes then what we are saying is we shall wait until Alick Macheso and Mtukudzi die then other people can win,” said Jeys.
Online Reporter