Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
After being missing the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) for over 10 years, Plaxedes Wenyika is set make her return to the big stage.
The last time the diva was linked to NAMA was at the 12th edition when she was nominated for the Outstanding Female Musician alongside Hope Masike and Cindy Munyavi. Hope Masike won the category.
Just like Alexio Kawara, BaShupi and Dino Mudondo, the urban groove legends had not been part of the NAMA for years and are set to take the audience back in old days.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Wenyika said it is an honour for her to be back at the NAMA stage.
“This is platform that has been around for years and each year they have new blood, new talent in different categories so it will be interesting task for me.
“As the day is coming close all I can say is I will be performing all my hit songs. It has been years I don’t even know the last time was involved in anything to do with NAMA,” she said.
As February 28th draws closer, the NAMA stage will be alive with old-school legends from Urban Groove, alongside fresh faces from the new generation, and talented artists in between.
Last year the stage featured young musicians like NishaTs, Oriyano, Young Gemini, Chillmaster and Bagga.
This year things seems to be a little different with different genres form gospel to zimdancehall set to perform at the 24th edition of the NAMA.
Running under the theme “Fearless Creativity” the awards are scheduled for, Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
NAMA lineup boasts an array of talent from various disciplines, including dance, theatre, literature, film, and visual arts.
Gospel sensations Ministers Ellard and Sharon Cherayi , Vabati VaJehova, Sku, Snowy Natasha Mlalazi, Dorcus Moyo, Cleo Arie and Lil Eliana will hold it down for the gospel session.
Paddington Chiwashira with his first attempt at recording will deliver the hit song “Manhanga Matete” on stage.
Baba Harare will also be performing for the jiti family along side the “Weru” hit maker Sekuru Gudo.
The Chillspot family, Freeman HKD and Junior Spragga will oversee the dancehall side.
Bling 4, Runner Rulez, Melyssa, Sane Wav, Young Gemini, Fab G, and Shone the young stars will be cover the RnB and Hip-hop genre.
NACZ spokesperson and marketing manager Agga Nyabinde said
“Performers are selected based on the theme for that particular NAMA edition. The Event Managers managers create a concept of how they would like to interpret the theme through live performances then they select artists that fit the concept.
“Adjudication is for awards is now at an advanced stage. The nominees will be announced soon. The people’s choice award is the only award that people vote for and the voting platforms will be announced once the nominees are out,” he said.
For this edition, The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) received an overwhelming response to the call for entries of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA), with over 1,117 submissions received from artists across the country.
