Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
AS Zimbabwe seeks to enhance its artistic landscape, valuable lessons can be drawn from the South African Music Awards (Samas), a prestigious event now approaching its 30th anniversary.
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), which is responsible for the National Arts Merit Awards (Namas), is keen to learn from the success of the Samas and apply those insights to improve the local awards.
In a positive step towards strengthening cultural ties, Zimbabwe and South Africa recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NACZ and the National Arts Council of South Africa (NACSA), laying the foundation for more collaboration in the future.
The Namas, established 22 years ago, now have the opportunity to learn from the Samas’ extensive experience, particularly in areas such as refining the nomination process, improving judging criteria, and curating impactful events.
NACZ executive director, Napoleon Nyanhi, highlighted the importance of collaboration between Zimbabwe and South Africa in fostering the creative arts sectors of both nations.
With the Samas set to celebrate their milestone event on November 2 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Nyanhi was looking forward to the innovations expected in this year’s edition.
“We look forward to seeing great growth and innovation in event management and are committed to ongoing knowledge exchange between Zimbabwe and South Africa as we advance in this space.
“The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe is proud of the shared heritage and cultures between Zimbabwe and the SADC region. With South Africa, in particular, we have strong historical and cultural ties, and many of our events share similar formats in how we deliver and celebrate them,” Nyanhi stated.
The announcement of this year’s Sama nominees has already sparked important discussions about the challenges and successes of sustaining such an influential event over three decades.
Sama spokesperson, Lesley Mofokeng, shared insights that could resonate with Zimbabwe’s arts community.
“It’s been a long journey with many challenges, but each year brings new lessons. We’ve had years of strong sponsorship and government support, and others where we’ve struggled. What sustains us is the passion and commitment to the industry,” Mofokeng noted.
His reflections on resilience in the arts sector highlight the determination required to ensure longevity.
“With that belief, reaching 30 years and beyond becomes possible,” he remarked.
Nominees for the Samas were announced this past weekend with international sensation Tyla emerging as the frontrunner, securing an impressive five nominations for her self-titled album.
Her nominations include the prestigious SAMPRA Album of the Year, Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year, SANTAM Newcomer of the Year, Best Pop Album, and Best Collaboration for her hit, Water, with Travis Scott.
This year’s Samas also feature a Zimbabwe-born nominee, South African-based musician Undeyfnd, who is up for Best Reggae Album for her latest release, Musionion.
As Zimbabwe envisions the future of its arts scene, the lessons from the Samas may serve as a blueprint for growth, fostering a vibrant cultural exchange that benefits both nations. – @MbuleloMpofu
Online Reporter