Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube, [email protected]
The Poetry Red Carpet Awards, born out of one simple concern, Zimbabwean poets not receiving the recognition they deserve, is set to take place in Harare on February 27.
In their fifth edition, the awards, launched in February 2022, were established to honour poets and elevate poetry as a recognised creative industry in Zimbabwe.
Since their inception, the awards have become a game-changer, giving poets the recognition they deserve.
Founder and director Cynthia Sichile Mapando said: “When we started, there were no awards that specifically appreciated poets as individuals. We wanted to bridge that gap, appreciate poets and give them a platform to shine as an independent industry.”
She said since then, the event has been held annually with poets from different corners of the country being recognised.
This year, awards will be presented in 19 categories, including Mentor of the Year, English, Shona and Ndebele Spoken Word, Page Poet, Collaboration of the Year, Spoken Word Video of the Year, Promising Artist, Media Coverage, Ability Award, Poetry in Sign Language, Poet of the Year, Sponsor of the Year, Event Host, Event of the Year, Poetry Enthusiast, Social Impact Poet, Anthology of the Year and Podcast of the Year.
Below is a list of nominees:
1. Mentor of the Year
Changamire Gutu, Chirikure Chirikure, Audrey Chirenje, Jeceline Mupini, Irvine Tanya and The Amartian
2. English Spoken Word
Blessing Katsaura, Thandiwe Marerwa, Musi Matongo and I Eat Lemons.
3. Shona Spoken Word
Golden Maxxy, Mambo Guramatunhu, Jaydee Poet and Musi Matongo.
4. Ndebele Spoken Word
Anele Nkundlande, Trybee, African Daughter and Onesimo Ngcotsha.
5. Collaboration of the Year
Chinu Chedu ZRP Poets; Changamire Gutu ft Murayi Mukuru; Safiriya by Tanatswa Padzala and Tapfuma the Poet; Golden Maxxy
6. Prolific Writer
(Nyasha Dzake); Athandwe Mama by Anele Nkundlande and Noxie the Poet.
7. Spoken Word Video of the Year
Sapatina Sapatina by Johnson Tapfuma; Majava (Mambo Guramatunhu ft Thee Amartian); I Am Bold by Garnet Mutsera; Garnet Mutsera ft My Generation Is Lost.
8. Promising Artist
Marcus Zimba, Felicia Mabasa, Fiona John, Noxie the Poet, Ntombenzinhle Thembelekonsini Ncube and Blessing Lister Katsaura.
9. Media Coverage
Mangaliso Kabulika, Dandaro Media and Earground.
10. Ability Award: Ruvarashe Muringo, Hombarume the Giant, Malvis the Poet and Ntombenzinhle Thembelekonsini.
11. Poetry in Sign Language: Wellington Ndoro, Omega Madembo, Fadzai Ndofeni, Tendai Mabvuta and Tinevimbo.
12. Poet of the Year: Musi Matongo, Fiona John, Marcus Zimba, Jaydee Poet, Johnson Tapfuma, Felicia Mabasa, Chips Chantel Chakr & Li BlaQ Rose and Golden Maxxy.
13. Page Poet
Fiona John, Marcus Zimba, Golden Maxxy, Jaydee Poet, Johnson Tapfuma and The Isolated Poet.
14. Sponsor of the Year: Chances Inc, InkAfrica, WordKalcha and Alliance Française.
15. Event Host
Blackbird Zimbabwe, Litfest and Morset Billie.
16. Event of the Year
Rhymes and Rhymes, Zimstar Launch, Something Catchy, Sarura Wako Poetic Singles Mixer and Harare Open Mic.
17. Poetry Enthusiast: Thee Poet Zimbabwe, Max the Poet, African Daughter, Thandiwe Marerwa and Tutukani Ndlovu.
18. Social Impact Poet
Loveletter, Banshee, Kommy the Poet, Nivana Sithole and Marcus Zimba.
19. Anthology of the Year
Blackbird Zimbabwe, Litfest and Morset Billie.
20. Podcast of the Year
The Feeling Station, DJ Sparks, Heart and Soul, The Come Up and The Everyday Buzz.
