Pumula arts awards get massive support

Mbulelo Mpofu, Showbiz Reporter
THE Pumula Royal Arts and Community Awards (Praca) were successfully held on Saturday at Pumula North Hall. This was the second instalment of the awards and there was no standout winner since a quartet of creatives led the pack with two gongs apiece.

Musician and producer, Poly Da Nqoe retained his Best Male Artiste gong while the newly-recruited Ubuntu Marketing Agency Ambassador, Mandie Mae clinched the Best Female Artiste accolade at the event. Amapiano artiste Mjava, poet Onesimo Ngcotsha, community leader Admire J Banda and visual director Praise L Nkala all warmed up the place on a chilly Saturday afternoon.

The executive director of the awards, Happy Mpofu was elated following the successful hosting of the event.

“The event was a success as it was blessed by the presence of a lot of influential people in the arts industry,” said Mpofu.

Among some of the influential people to grace the event were the deputy director of Ministry of Youth Sports Arts and Recreation Isaiah Mpofu as the guest of honour, William Nyandoro from National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Nkululeko Nkala, Deputy Mayor of Bulawayo Councillor Mlandu Ncube, Ward 17/19 Councillor Skhululekile Moyo, Honourable MP Sichelesile Mahlangu and different organisations.

The event had a lot of sponsors on board including Plan International, DialogueonShelter, Junior Achievement Zimbabwe, Zizo Motion Pictures, Yellow World, Gandary Visions, Home of Arts Entertainment, Sunrise Leading Show, Mak 9 and Ibrah Magazine.

The awards that were held under the theme “Celebrating young talent and increasing participation in the industry” were introduced last year to honour artistes and personalities from the Pumula suburbs.

The aim of the youth-led initiative was to recognise and motivate young people to keep contributing to the moral fabric of the community.

Below is a list of 2021 Pumula Royal Arts and Community Awards winners:

Best Producer – TCK

Best Video Of The Year – Umthombo Wothando

Best Female Artiste – Mandie Mae

Best Sports Team – Toronto Fc

Sports Person Of The Year – Sharon Moyo

Best Creative Handiwork – Peekay

Most Developed Business – Daddy D Events

Community Leader In All Wards – Admire J Banda

Outstanding Youth In Community Engagements – Admire J Banda

Business Of The Year – Pumula Arts And Crafts

Outstanding Youth Project – Ycdi

Outstanding Youth Led Organisation – Active Youth Zim

Best Male Model – Olee

Best Female Model – Mercy R Sibanda

Best Female Comedian- Metty Intombie Emfitshane

Best Male Comedian – Zakes Mdawini Tshuma

Best Cinematographer – Praise L Nkala

Best Visual Director – Praise L Nkala

Outstanding Theatre Actor/Actress – Ntandoyenkosi Sithole

Best Feature Film – Family Secrets

Best Actor Across All Genres – Romelo Ngwenya

Best Actress – Nomagugu Gumede

Best Upcoming Actor – Prosper T Maregere

Outstanding Literary Work Non-Fiction – Marginalised Soul By Lincolin Noyo

Best Female Poet – Sonkomose

Outstanding
Male Poet- Onesimo Ngcotsha

Album Of The Year – Onesimo Ngcotsha

Best Afro Pop – Neezy

Best Dancehall – Swizz

Best Hip Hop – Aok Prontoe

Best Amapiano – Mjava

Best RnB – Talecy

Best Gospel Artist- Onesimo Ngcotsha

Best Maskandi – Msheli Wentombie

Outstanding Newcomer – Mjava

Best Male Artiste – Poly Da Nqoe

Song Of The Year – Ngangingafuni Befe

Best Radio Presenter – Melisa Laung

Best Photographer – Zizo Motion Pictures

Outstanding Literary Work – Black On Black To Blackness By Trust Gwasunda

Best Dance Group Across All Genres – Pumula Junction

Best Male Dancer – Gamelihle Thwala

Best Female Dancer – Blessing Stoxie

Best Production/Media House – Optic Visuals.

— @eMKlass_49