Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
SUBMISSIONS for the 24th National Arts Merit Awards have been officially opened, with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and its partners intensifying awareness campaigns to encourage creatives to participate.
In recent years, concerns have been raised regarding the NACZ and its partners’ efforts to motivate artists to enter the prestigious awards.
Reports indicated that some submissions failed to meet the necessary requirements, highlighting lack of education on the process.
Additionally, there were instances where artists missed deadlines due to inadequate communication.
However, this issue is expected to improve thanks to technological advancements and the organisers’ ongoing campaign, according to Aggabu Nyabinde, the NACZ Communications and Marketing Manager.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Nyabinde confirmed they have begun collecting submissions at NACZ offices across the country.
“We are currently accepting submissions from creatives for works produced between December 1, 2024, and November 30, 2025. Submissions can be made at any of our NACZ offices nationwide,” he emphasised.
“An online submission link will be published soon. We are also pleased to announce that our new event managers, Scarlet Studios and Events Evolution, are preparing for a prestigious and glamorous awards ceremony.”
Following recommendations from various stakeholders, NACZ and its partners are raising awareness about the submission process.
Nyabinde urged artists to enter the 24th edition for consideration.
“We advise all creatives to submit their work for adjudication. Anyone interested in being considered for the awards should express their interest by submitting their work. We have initiated an early awareness campaign to encourage artists to participate,” he stressed.
Nyabinde added that the theme for the 24th edition was still being finalised.
“The theme will be released soon once everything has been completed,” he stated.
Last year’s edition was held under the theme “Afrofuturism,” featuring performances from Jah Prayzah, Probeatz, Nisha Ts, Sylent Nqo, Hwinza and Atenda Chinx, among others.
At the 24th edition, much is expected from the new events managers — Scarlet Studios and Events Evolution — who took over from the Jacaranda Culture and Media Corporation (JCMC).
JCMC managed the event for five years, from its 19th to the 23rd editions, before their contract ended last year. With new event managers in place, expectations are high.
The newcomers, who have a five-year tenure ahead, are expected to address their predecessors’ shortcomings and make NAMA one of the best award ceremonies in Africa and beyond.
While the new events managers are focused on assembling a flawless awards ceremony, the NACZ chiefs are admitting new entries.
Scarlet Studios and Events Evolution still have ample time to organise their operations.
It would be a disservice for the new events managers to start off disappointingly after passing the interviews with distinction.
Technical glitches and poor coordination are expected to become a thing of the past at the NAMAs.
In terms of nominees, NACZ has been known for casting their nets wider, as was the case last year. Nine-year-old Skanyiso Ngwenya of Victoria Falls, who starred in the production “Rise in Rise,” was voted Outstanding Actor, with critics praising the organisers for rewarding creatives based on merit rather than sympathy.
Ngwenya has since paved the way for other young actors to take the arts seriously, becoming not only a torch-bearer but also a role model.
Known for rewarding excellence, it was also a marvel to watch veteran saxophonist Philip Svosve being conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to music.
Peter Tanyanyiwa