Nama kicks off new era with capacity-building workshops

Mthabisi Tshuma, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub

THE organisers of the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) on Wednesday hosted a capacity-building workshop in Harare, bringing together key stakeholders from the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs).

This engagement followed the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe’s (NACZ) announcement in May of the appointment of Scarlet Studios, in partnership with Events Evolution, as the new Nama event managers for the 2026–2030 tenure. The appointment came after a rigorous selection process aimed at safeguarding the integrity and excellence of Zimbabwe’s most prestigious arts awards.

Scarlet Studios and Events Evolution have hit the ground running, focusing on empowering artistes and industry players with the knowledge and tools needed to produce work that can compete on the global stage.

Artistes from all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe attended the one-day workshop, held at a Harare hotel. Sessions covered critical topics including branding, digital marketing, the Nama process and registration with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub spoke to several artistes and promoters, who shared their insights on the initiative.
Mandipa Masuku, the creative force behind the Munch n Sip brand, applauded the move.

“I’m genuinely glad they finally took the step to engage the very people their policies are meant to impact. That’s a move in the right direction.” However, Masuku noted that more still needs to be done.

“The arts deserve the same respect and investment as industries like sports and tourism, because they don’t just complement each other — they build a stronger, more balanced society.”

Actress and songstress Lee McHoney, echoed the importance of such workshops in shaping successful careers.
“This workshop has helped me with the knowledge and skills I need to improve my brand, become more visible to my audience, and network with other artistes across the country. This is important to me as an artiste because it gives me a sense of belonging and shows there are people ready to support that growth,” she said.

Musician Bhadilah from Beitbridge expressed pride in representing Matabeleland South, adding that he plans to share the knowledge with fellow artistes.

“It’s pleasing to see a change in how things are done, where artistes from small towns are included in key stakeholder engagements. I applaud the NACZ leadership for making sure every artiste in the country feels valued. Back in the day, only artistes from big cities attended such workshops, but that’s a thing of the past.

“It was a very insightful engagement, and I hope this is cascaded to every province and district. Artistes need to understand the Nama processes and the benefits of being registered under NACZ, especially if they want to break into the international market,” said Bhadilah.

Producer Muffia King from Danica Studios in Victoria Falls described the workshop as a game-changer for his career trajectory.
“These insights have empowered me to think strategically about my art as a business, rather than just a passion. The sessions on digital marketing were particularly enlightening, giving me tools to reach a wider audience and promote my work effectively.

“The discussion on national arts registration also highlighted the importance of formal recognition and support for artistes in our country. Overall, this workshop has helped me refine my practice, develop a strong brand identity, and connect with like-minded creatives. I’m grateful for the opportunity and look forward to applying these new skills to elevate my work and contribute to Zimbabwe’s cultural landscape,” he said.

Musician Sarah Dee, stressed the importance of collaboration between artistes and industry representatives.
“The workshop helps us open our eyes and know, which path to follow in order to be professional and commercialise our work so we can earn a fair income. There’s still a lot to be done through teamwork between artistes and those representing us in the industry. The environment must be user-friendly, not just for this generation but for the next,” said Sarah Dee.

Another musician, Msiz’kay, summed up his experience in a few words.
“I’m informed and very inspired as I chase my dreams and goals,” he said. — @mthabisi_mthire