adminMbongeni Msimanga Showbiz Correspondent
Six Zimbabwean artistes and an entrepreneur have been nominated for this year’s African Entertainment Awards (AEA). Now in their fourth edition, the awards, which recognise individuals who have positively impacted the African Canadian entertainment industry, will be held in Canada on September 5. Nominated locals include artistes Tehn Diamond and Selmor Mtukudzi, comedian Cde Fatso, designer Farayi Simoyi, actors Tongayi Chirisa and Danai Gurira and entrepreneur Farai Gundan.
Tehn Diamond is up for the best hop artistes/songs for his hit Happy and faces stiff competition from French Montana and AKA.
Nominated in the best actor in the film category for his role on Crusoe, Chirisa, will be competing with Nigeria’s Nonso Anozie who starred in Game of Thrones, South Africa’s Adhir Kaylan from Rules of Engagement and Kenya’s Benjamin Ochieng from X-Files.
Mtukudzi who is contesting for hottest female singer of the year award for her track Nguva Yangu has been nominated with America-based Tinashe with 2 On, Yemi Alade with Johnny, Zahara with Loliwe and Maya Zuda’s Kwankwaram.
Comrade Fatso is up for best comedian and will take on Basket Mouth, Trevor Noah, Anne Kansime and Michael Blackston.
Gurira who is Michonne in the US smash hit series, The Walking Dead is up for Best Actress in a Film or Series.
Gundan makes the list of entrepreneur of the year while designer, Farai Simoyi, has been nominated for designer of the year.
The awards which, will be held under the theme: “Re-Branding Africa through entertainment,” will be hosted by Nollywood top actor, John Dumelo and musician Emma Nyra. African talent will be recognised in 30 categories.
Founder and executive producer of the African Entertainment Awards, Ibrahim Adekale said: “We’re excited to honour creative talents in the entertainment industry and also looking forward to sharing this talent with the world”.
Chirisa, whose latest TV show The Jim Gaffigan show debuted this month, expressed joy towards the nomination.
“Err … I guess I’m a nominee!! So let’s have fun. Vote please,” he posted on his Facebook account.
Through the nomination, the actor hopes to empower fellow actors in Zimbabwe so as to boost the local film industry.
“There’s always been a plan to bring back the knowledge and expertise I’ve acquired to further the industry in order to make it more accessible and relevant to our society for our people,” he said.
Chirisa first made his mark on the local scene with his role as Detective Trevor Davies in Zimbabwe’s first soapie, Studio 263. He then moved to South Africa where he landed several roles in productions such as Leon Schuster’s Mr Bones 2 as Hekule the King of Kuvukiland.
An equally excited Mtukudzi said she was thrilled to be nominated for the prestigious awards, urging people to vote for her.
“Wow, I’ve been nominated for an international award. My heart will rejoice in the Lord forever . . . Vote, vote, vote,” posted Mtukudzi.
To vote for the nominated Zimbabweans, one has to visit the AEA website – www.aeawards.ca and cast their vote there.
Online Reporter