Online Reporter
Lifestyle Writer
An awards ceremony without a theme risks becoming just another night of trophies and applause. A powerful theme gives the occasion a heartbeat, a voice and a story.
That is why the world’s biggest stages, from the Oscars to the Grammys, build each edition around a strong creative identity that shapes everything from the red carpet to the performances and overall experience.
For NAMA, a compelling theme does more than decorate the programme—it captures the mood of Zimbabwe’s creative industry, celebrates its achievements and challenges artists to imagine what comes next.
The right theme turns an awards night into a statement.
As the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) prepares to mark its 25th edition, organisers have turned to two distinctly African symbols to tell a story that stretches from Zimbabwe’s artistic past into its creative future.
The theme, “Honour the Footprints, Sound the Future”, draws inspiration from the Tsimba, meaning footprint, and the Hwamanda, a traditional instrument associated with announcing important gatherings and bringing communities together.
Together, the two symbols provide the creative philosophy for the Silver Jubilee edition of NAMA, celebrating a quarter of a century of Zimbabwean artistic expression while looking towards the generations of creatives still to come.
For the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), which oversees the awards, the 25th edition represents far more than an anniversary.
NACZ chief executive officer Napoleon Nyanhi said the milestone provided an opportunity to reflect on the journey travelled by Zimbabwe’s creative sector.
“This is not just a number; it is a milestone. It represents a quarter of a century of resilience, evolution and excellence.
“This Silver Jubilee edition carries a special significance. It is a celebration of the depth of Zimbabwe’s creative expertise.”
The first half of the theme — “Honour the Footprints” — speaks to the artists, musicians, actors, writers, dancers, filmmakers, designers and other creatives whose work has shaped Zimbabwe’s cultural identity.
The Tsimba, or footprint, becomes a metaphor for the journey already travelled.
Every footprint represents a path forged through creativity and courage.
Some are highly visible, belonging to artists whose names have become firmly embedded in Zimbabwe’s cultural history, while others may be less visible.
But collectively, those footprints have created a path for generations to follow.
For NAMA25, the message is that the achievements of Zimbabwe’s creative sector did not happen in isolation.
They were built on the work of those who came before — artists who opened doors, challenged conventions, created new forms of expression and demonstrated the power of the arts to influence society.
The 25th edition, therefore, becomes both a celebration and an acknowledgement of that legacy.
Scarlet Studios managing director Reginald Matinanga, whose organisation is involved in the creative production of the milestone edition, said reaching 25 years had prompted organisers to reflect deeply on the journey behind the awards.
“Twenty-five is more than a number; it is a journey, it is a story and, most importantly, it is a legacy.
“As we reflected on this milestone and explored the theme for NAMA25, we had one important question in mind: How do we honour everything that has brought us here, while looking ahead to everything that is still to come?”
That question sits at the heart of the second half of the theme — “Sound the Future.”
If the Tsimba represents what has already been achieved, the Hwamanda represents what is yet to come.
Traditionally, the Hwamanda has been used to announce important gatherings, bring communities together, mark moments of celebration and signal the beginning of a new chapter.
Its symbolism, therefore, gives NAMA25 a forward-looking dimension.
It is a call to the next generation of creatives to pick up the legacy that has been built and carry it forward.
In this interpretation, the Hwamanda is not simply a sound of celebration. It is a call to action, inviting young artists and emerging creatives to create, innovate and find their own footprints within Zimbabwe’s evolving cultural landscape.
This gives the theme a generational conversation.
The Tsimba asks Zimbabwe to remember.
The Hwamanda asks Zimbabwe to look ahead.
One honours those who paved the way, while the other calls upon those who will shape the next chapter.
That duality is particularly important at a time when Zimbabwe’s creative industries are being transformed by digital platforms, new forms of storytelling and changing audiences.
The artists who will define the next 25 years may not necessarily work within the same structures as those who came before them.
They are emerging through social media, digital film, contemporary music, fashion, online publishing, animation, gaming and other creative spaces.
NAMA25’s theme, therefore, seeks to connect these emerging forms of expression with the cultural foundations laid by previous generations.
At its heart, “Honour the Footprints, Sound the Future” tells one story.
The Tsimba tells us where we have come from. The Hwamanda calls us towards where we are going.
And NAMA25 seeks to place both journeys within one celebration of Zimbabwean creativity.
As the awards enter their Silver Jubilee, the theme becomes a reminder that artistic legacies are not monuments to be left in the past. They are footprints to be followed, expanded and, ultimately, surpassed by the next generation.
However, the last edition, NAMA24 theme, “Fearless Creativity,” challenged Zimbabwean artists to embrace bold ideas, originality and artistic freedom.
It encouraged creatives to move beyond conventional boundaries, experiment with new forms and tell authentic stories without fear of criticism or failure.
The theme also recognised the changing creative landscape, where innovation, digital platforms and new audiences are reshaping the arts industry.
More importantly, it positioned creativity as a powerful tool for cultural expression and national identity. Whether in music, theatre, dance, film, literature, fashion or visual arts, “Fearless Creativity” called on artists to be courageous in their work and confident in their voices.
It was a reminder that the growth of Zimbabwe’s arts sector depends on artists who are willing to take risks, challenge norms and create work that leaves a lasting impact.
