Online Reporter
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Zimbabwe’s artistic heartbeat is on full display at this year’s National Arts Merit Awards (Nama), with creators from across the country being celebrated for their exceptional contributions.
Event organisers on Thursday unveiled a strong line-up of nominees whose work spans visual arts, theatre, literature, music, and fashion.
In the fashion category, Nomakhosazana Khanyile Ncube of A Tribe Called Zimbabwe and designers such as Danayi Madondo (Haus of Stone), who have pushed creative boundaries while celebrating Zimbabwean heritage, have been recognised.
In theatre, productions Zi Animal Farm, Ipi Intombi, and Can We Talk proved to be undeniable crowd-pullers, standout hits that Zimbabwe could confidently export to wider audiences. The three dominate the theatre categories, going head-to-head across multiple nominations through their casts and directors, with the productions themselves also earning recognition.
Comedians like Leroy T Zaware (Comic Elder) and influencers such as Blessing Nashe (Nashe the Plug), using online platforms to share stories of rural life, culture, and everyday humour, are also nominated.
Generally, the nominees list feels refreshingly new, with a wave of fresh talent making the cut, though established heavyweights Jah Prayzah and Winky D continue to prove their enduring popularity. The two headline the People’s Choice Award category alongside musician Prince Chigwida, comedian Comic Elder, and social media personality and artist Ritz Mcleish.
Fresh off a strong year, Jah Prayzah also earned a nomination for Outstanding Male Artiste, while his 2025 album Ndini Mukudzeyi secured a nod of its own, cementing his continued dominance on the local music scene.
This year’s nominees were selected from a staggering 1 117 submissions of works produced between December 1, 2024, and November 30, 2025.
Fans are already buzzing ahead of the awards ceremony, scheduled for February 28 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC). Themed “Fearless Creativity”, the showcase promises a vibrant mix of established icons and rising stars across diverse genres.
The stage will feature a stellar line-up, including gospel sensations Ministers Ellard, Sharon Cherayi and Vabati VaJehova; dancehall king Freeman; hip-hop artiste Bling4; jiti maestro Baba Harare; Afro-jazz stalwarts Plaxedes Wenyika and Dino Mudondo; hitmakers Alexio Kawara and Sane Wavi; BaShupi; and the legendary Sekuru Gudo. Fans can also expect electrifying performances from the Chillspot Family, featuring Chillmaster, Fab G, Shone, Lil Eliana, Snowy, Runna Rulezi, Dorcus Moyo, Junior Spragga, Young Gemini, Natasha Mlalazi, Paddington Chiwashira, Melyssa and Cleo Arie.
Below is a full list of nominees:
1. VISUAL ARTS
Outstanding Female Visual Artist
• Amanda Shingirai Mushate – Chimoro neHukoshwa Part 1
• Sabina Mutsvati – Ndishonongoreiwo
• Shamila Aasha – Healing Alchemy
Outstanding Male Visual Artist
• Confidence Zinyeka – Intimate Conversation
• Pardon Mapondera – Dotipaiwo Mwenje
• Tinotenda Chivhinge – Nonsense Hit Song
Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist
• Claire Munjoma – Shanduko
• Tadiwanashe Joel Mafuta – Dismas
• Crystal Vimbainashe Beseni – Maps of Everything
Outstanding Exhibition
• Ndishonongoreiwo (Solo Exhibition) by Sabina Mutsvati, curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa
• Perfection Is Not Always Reality (Solo Exhibition) by Tinotenda Chivhinge, curated by Doris Kamupira
• CHEUKA Harare Art Fair, curated by Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe
2. THEATRE AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
• Cedrick Msongelwa as Squealer/Storyteller/Mr Jones – Zi Animal Farm
• Elroy Takunda Musiiwa as Benjamin/Storyteller One – Zi Animal Farm
• Ronald Sigeca as Prophet – These Humans Are Sick
Outstanding Actress
• Chidochashe Joanne Tenga as Bope – Can We Talk?
• Tsungirirai Chenjerai as Snowball/Clover/Storyteller – Zi Animal Farm
• Thandolwenkosi Nkiwane – Multi-characters – Ipi Ntombi
Outstanding Theatrical Production
• In Search of a King – Celebration Church
• Can We Talk? – Almasi Collaborative Arts
• Zi Animal Farm – Savanna Trust
Outstanding Director
• Daniel Dueschle – In Search of a King
• Leonard Matsa – Can We Talk?
• Sandra Braddock – Ipi Ntombi
Outstanding Playwright
• Tatenda Mutyambizi – These Humans Are Sick
• Batsirai Chigama – Can We Talk?
3. LITERARY AWARDS
Outstanding Fiction Book
• Iluba lika Ntunjambila – Polite Sibanda (Pre-dawn Publishers)
• My Affair with Misfortune – Sipho Mpofu (Elane Publishing Consultancy)
• The Toppling – Cynthia Rumbidzai Marangwanda (Carnelian Heart Publishing Ltd)
Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
• Gonan’ombe Retsika Namararamiro eChivanhu – Morden Tavarwisa (Miamuty)
• Kurasika MuAfurika – Rumbidzai Caroline Kahari (Essential Books Publishing Company)
• The Essentials to Faithful Living – Michael H Nyahwera (Beyond Today)
Outstanding Children’s Book
• Mukanyawashe’s Big Adventure – Gerald Shorayi (Essential Books Publishing Company)
• The Adventures of Dafi and Rize – Wadzanai Tadhuvana (Kunda Kids Publishers)
• The Old River Woman – Shakemore Dirani (Essential Books Publishing Company)
Special Mention
• The Exciting Story of Chipo the Bird – Jean Taanashe Botso (Essential Books Publishing Company)
• Munashe The Clever Boy – Rigel Chabata (Essential Books Publishing Company)
Outstanding First Published Work
• Hanzi Huchi Hwenduri – Kubva Mukatikati – Ushehwedu Kufakurinani (Carnelian Heart Publishing Limited)
• The Killer Pastor – Entourade Usayi (Soar Publishers)
• Zvamuri Ndaimbova Zvandiri Muchava – Josiah Muchada (Sahara Publishers)
4. FILM & TELEVISION AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
• Calvin Madula as Stan “SK” Khumalo – High School Diaries
• Charles Kamara as Mike – Nhai Maiguru
• Leroy Siyafa as James – God Sleeps on Sundays
Outstanding Actress
• Wizzy Mangoma as Chirongoma – God Sleeps on Sundays
• Charity Dlodlo as Maria – Forget Me Not
• Natasha Dlamini as Beauty – Totem
Outstanding Music Video
• Kuno – Jah Prayzah (Directed by Vusa Hlatshwayo & Davis Hanzu)
• Fake Love – Winky D (Directed by Tawanda Sibotshiwe)
• Nguva NdeyaMwari – Dorcas Moyo (Directed by Hastings Chiromo)
Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
• High School Diaries – John Mabuyane
• Magweja – Dexter Fundire
• Love Across the Ocean – Willy Makumire Lilly
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)
• A Future Untold – Prosper Kunyetu
• God Sleeps on Sundays – Naishe Nyamubaya
• Totem – Nicole Panashe Dzenga
Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length)
• Loved Out – Tendai Nyeke
• Dilemma – Joe Njagu
• Mwana Wangu – Nakai Beauty Tsuro
5. DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Dance Group/Production
• Salt ‘n’ Light Dance Company – Still Salty
• Diamond Girls – Unseen Stars
• MnM Dance Factory – African Sunrise
Outstanding Female Dancer
• Mandisa Maseko (Storm Zw) – The Crown Project
• Celine Madziva – Celine’s Work
• Lisa Tanaka Magwenzi (Lissa Tanaka) – Lissa Tanaka
Outstanding Male Dancer
• Prince Mbisa (Amazing Prince) – The Rise of Amazing Prince
• Lawrence Sirewo (Flexxy Smith) – Big Brother Mzansi
• Shadreck Moyo (Shaddy Stiffler) – The Cowboys
Outstanding Choreographer
• Tanaka Machikicho – Diamond Girls
• Celine Madzivai – Celine
• Terrence Kapesa – Salt & Light Dance Company
6. SPOKEN WORD AWARDS
Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian
• Frank Chirisa
• Mbongeni Ignatious
• Nigel Maritinyu (Nijo the Slick Pastor)
Outstanding Poet
• Obert Dube
• Sithandazile Dube
• Thaluso Moyo (Thaluso the Poet)
7. MUSIC AWARDS
Outstanding Female Musician
• Sharon Manyonganise Cherayi
• Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa (Nisha Ts)
• Ashleigh Angel Moyo (Shashl)
Outstanding Male Musician
• Michael Mahendere
• Emegy Chizanga (Freeman HKD)
• Mukudzeyi Mukombe (Jah Prayzah)
Outstanding Breakthrough Musician
• Nyasha Emmanuel Dedza (Junior Spragga)
• Atenda Chingaira (Atenda Chinx)
• Shone Qongo (Shone)
Outstanding Music Group
• The Redeemed Family
• VeRutendo
• Joyful Praise
Outstanding Song
• Ruzhowa – Jah Prayzah
• Admire Kadembo – Nisha Ts
• Too Much – Nutty O
Outstanding Album
• The Notebook – Freeman HKD
• Ndini Mukudzeyi – Jah Prayzah
• The Woman King – Gender IIH – Nisha Ts
8. FASHION AWARDS
Outstanding Male Designer
• Rangarirai Kenias – Raengah
• Brightman Dlamini – Tocar Narrations
• Ishmael Tsakatsa – Zargue’sia
Outstanding Female Fashion Designer
• Nomakhosazana Khanyile Ncube – A Tribe Called Zimbabwe
• Danayi Madondo – Haus of Stone
• Yolanda Ngwenya – Bakhar
Outstanding Contributor to the Fashion Industry
• Amanda Mutangadura – AM Model Management
• Priscilla Chigariro – Zimbabwe Fashion Week
• Joyce Chimanye – ZUVVA
9. DIGITAL ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding Female Social Media Content Creator
• Blessing Nashe – Nashe the Plug
• Gracia Bvute – Pot Tradition
• Tariro Sarudzai Mharapara – Butterphly
Outstanding Male Social Media Content Creator
• Marvellous Ngongoro – African Finder
• Kelvin Biriot
• Prince Sivalo Mahlangu – Magriza Made Me Cook
Outstanding Podcast
• Zigo Podcast
• Pass and Move Podcast
• The Ollah 7 Podcast
Outstanding Social Media Skits
• Leroy T Zaware (Comic Elder)
• Sean Khoza (Code Red Studios) – Tokoloshi
• Ronald Chimombe (Thugga Thugga)
10. SPECIAL AWARDS
Outstanding Artiste in the Diaspora
• Bhekinkosi Mabhena (DJ Nitefreak) – France & Spain
• Luckson Chikutu (Manluckerz) – USA
• Chrispen Nyathi – South Africa
Promoter of the Year
• Stratosphere Events (Fiesta Fiesta Zimbabwe) – Charles Ayisa
• Odyssey Entertainment (Kadoma Music Festival) – Prince Mharadze
• Ngoma Nehosho (Jacaranda Music Festival) – Walter Wanyanya
People’s Choice Award
• Principal Chigwida (Prince Chigwida)
• Leroy T Zaware (Comic Elder)
• Wallace Chirumiko (Winky D)
• Mukudzeyi Mukombe (Jah Prayzah)
• Michelle Moyo (Ritz Mcleish)
