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Langalakhe Mabena
BULAWAYO arts fans and artistes have alleged the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) is a “Harare thing,” as it appears to favour people from the capital.
The conclusion is based on local arts enthusiasts’ comments on various social media platforms based on this year’s nominees, which were released on 9 February.
This year’s award ceremony will be hosted in Bulawayo on 24 February at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) Hall 3.
Nama organisers have said the view is incorrect because: “There are more performers in Harare than anywhere else in the country, so statistically they are likely to dominate nominations and awards.”
Local fans believe that Bulawayo artistes were side-lined as only 20 percent or less of creatives from the host city, were nominated.
Perhaps their content did not make the cut.
Rubbing salt on the wound, the awards panel decided not to announce nominees in the Outstanding Comedian category. The reason is simple, all those who submitted for possible nomination are not funny.
“On Outstanding Comedian, the common position agreed by adjudicators was that there was no submission that deserved recognition,” said Josiah Kusena who is National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) acting director.
With Bulawayo credited as the country’s cultural hub, local comedians feel they were not respected after being snubbed at the Nama.
Ntandoyenkosi Van Moyo, who is the founder of Umahlekisa comedy club said they feel put on the back burner.
“I can’t comment much now on the matter because as local comedians we are yet to make a counter statement on the snub by the Namas. But we were disrespected. We will drop a Press statement next week, as now I am busy finalising arrangements for the Sandra Ndebele Roast,” said Van Moyo.
Another comedian, Dumisani “MaForty”Ndlovu, said it was expected of Nama to not only undermine comedians, Bulawayo artistes were also “subjected to the disgrace.”
He said that the history of the awards has always been dominated by artistes from Harare, hence, Bulawayo must not cry foul.
“I am commenting as MaForty, not any other comedian. Firstly, Namas have criteria and if that criteria saw it fit not to nominate any then let it be so. It’s a pity that it’s the case this year (Outstanding Comedian nominees) but I wouldn’t have expected anything less from guys who gave Mdawini an Outstanding Comedian award in 2022.
“Stand-Up Comedy in the country is vibrant. We have to accept one thing though, it has less following, only because people don’t get it, maybe the judges don’t even understand the humour created by recent comedians.
“Where the comedians snubbed? NO. There are also a few creatives nominated from Bulawayo but that has always been the case. People need to understand why these awards are done, who they are being done for, just maybe people will just accept them for what they are.
“We are having comedy nights in Bulawayo starting this month, a roast and a festival in October, that’s more important to the legacy of Stand-Up comedy and we are happy with it,” said MaForty, the director of KwaNtuthu Comedy Festival.
One of the leading authority-voices in Bulawayo arts said for one to understand how Namas work, the status quo of the Zimbabwean arts industry has to be questioned.
“The Namas are coming to Bulawayo because it’s the cultural hub of Zimbabwe. But, when we look at the nominations list, the numbers are saying otherwise. Where are the artistes from Bulawayo on the list?
“On the Outstanding Comedy category, we have a lot of local comedians who have been working hard last year. Some even toured Zimbabwe and other countries. We have the likes of Ntando Van Moyo, who are spearheading the most talked about Roast (Sandra Ndebele) in the country, but the panel doesn’t see talent in that.
“If the awards are to be held in Bulawayo, let the talent from the city speak through performances so that they can prove that they are indeed from the cultural hub.
“This issue is sensitive and emotional, that is why people are planning to boycott. Even businesswise you will realise that a majority of the services will be awarded to guys from Harare.
“It was a bad move for the Namas to come to Bulawayo with this tendency. They have been side-lined at the Namas since way back. They now have their own thing (Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards) which was created from such emotions (Bulawayo artistes sidelined) and that is where their heart is,” she said.
Josiah Kusena, Acting Director of the National Arts Council, said the artistes’ view was misleading. “I do not think the view is correct. One has to remember that Harare being the capital has more artistes, most of them coming from other provinces and who are doing their arts business in the Capital City due to strategic reasons and business points of view.
“Nama is not about location or a particular city it’s about rewarding excellence in creativity and innovation by individual artists across the provinces who make a cut above the rest.
“For instance, Bio Mudimba from Matabeleland North was identified through Nama. But Mudimba has become one of the foremost leading artists in Zimbabwe yet his creative productions were not done in Harare,” said Kusena.
One of the organisers of the awards Tinashe Kitchen of Jacaranda Culture Media Corporation said preparations are going on well and fans have to brace for an enthralling night at the awards.
He said on editions to come, the Namas will be held in various cities.
“Nama is a national event. The National Arts Council, in conjunction with us, agreed to take the event outside of Harare and to other parts of the country. Bulawayo was an obvious choice as it is the cultural hub of Zimbabwe. We look forward to showcasing the region’s amazing cultural excellence.
“Artistes such as Master H, Bhekiwe, Noluntu J, Calvin Mangena, Baba Harare, Samuzik, Albert Nyathi, and many more will come together for a night to remember as we will celebrate in song, dance, theatre, poetry, and so much more,” said Kitchen.
Online Reporter