Nama reaches fever pitch

This year’s edition of Nama is running under the theme “A Decade of Excellence and Creativity” – an expression of the long road the awards have travelled so far.
As usual, the red carpet will be rolled out for guests who will be treated to high-octane performances featuring collaboration between Mambokadzi and Ihawu Lesizwe.
Other performers of the evening include afro-jazz singer Victor Kunonga, Selmor Mtukudzi and Jeys Marabini.

South Africa-based songstress Dorothy Masuka is expected to grace the awards as a special guest.
This year’s Nama will see some of the most sought-after artistes walking away with miniature trophies and certificates.

The popular categories include Outstanding Song, Outstanding Album and Outstanding Musician/Group, where Alick Macheso and dancehall prodigy Winky D go head to head.
Freddy Manjalima aka Kapfupi is also in contention for Outstanding Song and Album, a success story for the comedian-cum-musician whose album Juice Card caused quite a stir on the airwaves with the chart topper “Mai Nga”.

In the dance category Makhula Moyo will fight for the Outstanding Male Dancer award together with Matthias Julias of Tumbuka Dance Company and Smoden Philmon of National Ballet.
In the Outstanding Female Dance Group, National Ballet of Zimbabwe will interface with Siyaya Arts and Tumbuka Dance Company.
In the Media Awards (Print category) Herald senior reporter Jonathan Mbiriyamveka squares off with Godwin Muzari of The Standard and Kenneth Matamaire, a freelance journalist.

According to Nicolas Moyo, the deputy director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe who is organising the awards, the emphasis for Nama is to give artistes a platform to shine.
“This is really an awards ceremony and not a gig so the emphasis is on the awards.
“The trophies are in my office and the certificates have been processed and we are ready to hand them out,” Moyo said.

According to Moyo, the awards ceremony will be screened on ZBC-TV in a week’s time.
“There is going to be a delayed screening of the awards on ZBC-TV and that in itself is an achievement.
“We commend the ZBC-TV for coming on board as our partners. This is a bigger commitment and sets the tone for future Nama ceremonies,” he said.

Moyo, who is also the executive producer of the awards ceremony, confirmed that Masuka would attend the event although there were few things that still needed to be ironed out between her and the arts council.
“We are looking forward to hosting Dorothy Masuka and she confirmed that she would be with us although we are still to finalise one or two issues with her but chances are high that she will attend,” Moyo said.

He said they were also looking forward to the results of the People’s Choice Award in which the fans have a chance to vote for their favourite artiste in any of the arts genres.
“The results of the People’s Choice Award will only be revealed tomorrow.
“Voting lines are still open and those who want to vote can do so by texting Nama followed by the name of the genre and artiste to 100 on all the mobile networks,” Moyo said.