adminBongani Ndlovu Entertainment Correspondent
VABATI VaJehova have challenged the organisers of the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) to consider choral music as a separate category. In an interview on ZBCTv’s Good Morning Zimbabwe on Sunday, Richard Magaya, lead vocalist of the Anouya Chete hit makers said although they submitted their music to Nama there was no category that caters specifically for the choral genre.
He said this while promoting their upcoming album, Zororo Kudenga.
“Nama overlook choral music and we are called to submit, but we are not put into categories. Choral music is very popular and the organisers should consider putting such a specific category,” said Magaya.
However, the spokesperson for National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), Catherine Mthombeni yesterday said the Nama do not cater for music only but all genres of art.
“Namas are for all genres that are in the arts. Choral music is catered for under the music category. All musicians are free to enter when we call for entries,” she said.
Mthombeni said other musicians such as Fungisai have won at the awards in the past.
Turning to Vabati VaJehova’s upcoming album, Zororo Kudenga, Magaya said the album was for all those who loved choral music.
He said piracy was proving hard to curb and joined in the chorus of other artistes for government to intervene through relevant ministries and statutes.
“Piracy is our number one problem. If we release a CD in the morning by 4PM it would have been replicated in thousands and available on street corners. We urge the government to use the relevant powers to bring to book these people who are killing the industry,” said Magaya.
Nama categories include music, literary works, dance, visual, film and television, theatre, media, spoken word and special awards.
Last year, a glamorous event was held at the Large City Hall and it was the first time the awards were held out of Harare.
Online Reporter