adminNkululeko Nkala
If you are reading this, ita��s obvious I have given in to the urge to write about the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama).
Believe me, I tried to ignore it.
Typically when the nominees are announced, there is chaos and controversy in the industry for days, suggestions are thrown around, names dropped, people accused and when the awards happen, we move on and press repeat for the next year.
I have a feeling though that this year things moved up a notch. One Nigel Ndlovu threw words that make this paper an angel.
All the words were directed at Nama and the judges who he accused of ignoring what has now become his former workplace Urban Culxure, an online magazine. In his statement he cited applying for two years and being ignored with all the work they do. He took to recording a voice note to air his views and from what I hear it did go around. I wonder if the Nama governing body is amused.
Second scenario is by world renowned arts administrator Josh Nyapimbi, he is the producer of one of the best pieces to come out of this city last year, a musical called Tellers.
He blasted Nama for their nomination criteria, calling the theatre nominations a scandal of epic proportions. He even went one step further by naming Untikolotshi by Theatre for Everyone (Bulawayo) and Warrior by Umkhathi (Bulawayo) as the two pieces not deserving a place in the lineup.
According to him he is still trying to understand how the two are there at the expense of pieces like Tellers and Lamentations @12 (Harare).
I have to admit Nama has made some questionable decisions over the years. But have we ever taken the time to find out what criteria is used? If so, how about lobbying that we see results to the nominations?
Ita��s evident that most of the complaints are because applicants feel the nominated are below them. Maybe the application process is flawed. Nama needs to look for people that attend shows that will recommend to them what to look out for.
I also think they need to deliberately try and make them as fair as possible. The awards have stopped growing. You find cross categories. Like how a documentary makes it into a feature film category?
Why not nominate those that excel even if they do not apply? Look at their numbers and visibility. Look for how far a piece went if ita��s a performing piece, how many shows and quality. The awards should have the confidence of the whole country, they should be all inclusive among other things.
Judging from the year in year out rants ita��s obvious people want the awards, they sacrifice relationships for them.
The least the Namaa��s can do is make them as fair as possible and deliberately plug all possible talking points.
First port, listen to the people and work on the application process, the judges, judging and the actual show itself.
The only way we can regain sponsors beyond three-metre fabrics is when we clean our house.
To the disgruntled artistes, mind your relationships. Awards are once in a year, relations are forever. Good luck to all the nominees. Until next week, be safea��.
@NkueNkala .
Online Reporter