This year the National Arts and Merits Awards (The NAMAs) will be hosting their 22nd ceremony, running under the theme #KWAN22. The theme is a play on words celebrating the return of the award show to Bulawayo. Performers for this year’s award show are set to include Sithandazile, Baba Harare, Bhekiwe, Tamy Moyo, Msiz’kay, Noluntu J, Everton Mlalazi, Calvin Mangena and Albert Nyathi.
The 22nd NAMAs are going to be held ZITF Hall 3 on Saturday 24 February 2024.
Here is the full list of nominees for this year’s nominations:
DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Female Dancer
- Ellain Ncube (The Chronicles)
- Deborah Kabongo (Fame in a Frame)
- Vanessa Nyoni (Street Battles)
Outstanding Male Dancer
- Tichaona Chikara (The Hero)
- Sean Mambwere (The Chronicles)
- Terence Kapesa (A man from Bulawayo)
Outstanding Dance Group
- Elysium Magna Dance Theatre
- Guruve Marimba Arts Ensemble
- Salt and Light
Outstanding Dance Choreographer
- Deborah Kabongo
- Terence Kapesa
- Sean Mambwere
VISUAL ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work
- My Daughter by Crystal Vimbanashe Beseni
- Shiriyabvutarekeni by Sea Mpetwa
- Wire Car by Christwish Malunga
Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work
- Cultural Dancer by Chenjeri Chiripanyanga
- Humility by Priviledge Garade
- Charging Gorilla by Ray Chataira
Outstanding Mixed Media
- What’s Next by Fizani Nkomo
- Scaffolding on Site by Ishmael Marirofa
- Dhunamutuna by Tawanda Takura
Outstanding Exhibition
- Katundu Katurikwa – Solo Exhibition at National Gallery of Zimbabwe (Harare): Curated by Zvikomborero F. Mandangu
- Pamoyo Sihlengeni – Solo Exhibition at National Gallery of Zimbabwe (Bulawayo): Curated by Doris Kamupira
- Connections – Group Exhibition at National Gallery of Zimbabwe (Bulawayo): Curated by Hajee Ismail Mposa, Sinqobile Shamie Dube, and Doris Kamupira
SPOKEN WORD AWARDS
Outstanding Poet
- Ngonidzashe Paradza aka Mambo Guramatunhu
- Shanay Wood
- Chioniso Tsikisayi
Outstanding Comedian
Outstanding Social Media Skits
- Admire Takudzwa Mushambi aka Mama Vee
- Theophilus Chigumira aka Mai Kirifodhi
- Kudzanai Chengedza aka Mbuya VaPiyasôi
MEDIA AWARDS
Outstanding Journalist – Print
- Sharon Zebra – Alpha Media
- Sindiso Dube – Alpha Media
- Mthabisi Tshuma – Chronicle
Outstanding Journalist – Radio
- MisRed – ZiFM Stereo
- KVG – Star FM
- Chamvary – ZiFM Stereo
Outstanding Journalist – Television
- Collete Musanyera – Ztv
- Mr Dobbie – NRtv
Outstanding – Online Media
- Khumbulani Muleya – Heart and Soul
- Plot Mhako – earGround Africa
- Jonathan Mbiriyamveka – Gem Nation
THEATRE AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
- Farai Clarence Borerwe as Augustine in Beautiful Men
- Douglas Bramsen as Jafar in Aladdin
- Dean Jones as Lage in Aladdin
Outstanding Actress
- Charmaine Mujeri as Faith Nehura in Zuva Crumbling
- Musawenkosi Sibanda as ALL MOTHER: We are One WINNER in Simunye
- Nosizo Gumede as Runyararo I am/was Marah
Outstanding Theatrical Production
- Simunye We are One – Directed by Mongi Wekhaya Mthombeni, Produced by Shearwater
- I am/was Marah – Directed by Lloyd Nyikadzino
- Zuva Crumbling – Directed by Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi
Outstanding Director
- Sandy Bradrick for Aladdin
- Lloyd Nyikadzino for I am/was Marah
- Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi for Zuva Crumbling & Beautiful Men
LITERARY AWARDS
Outstanding First Creative Published Work
- The Train House on Lobengula Street by Fatima Kara
- A Somber Graveyard Tale by Christopher Madala
- UQhondisile MaKhumalo by Kephas Sibanda
Outstanding Children’s Book
- Sloba and the Crocodile Tears by Martin Chayambuka
- A day in the park by Audrey Chirenje
- The Haunted Pumpkin by Mai Sarungano Folktales
Outstanding Fiction Book
- Whatever happened to Rick Astley by Byrony Rheam
- The Magic and Masala by Violet Kee-Tul
- UKhetiwe by Zibusiso Mabonisa
Outstanding Poetry Book
- Looking for mother by Nkosiyazi Kan Kajiri
- Shamhu yezera renyu by Memory Chirere
- Tessarae: A mosaic of poems by Zimbabwean women – Compiled and edited by Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure and Marian Christie
FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
- Everson K. Chieza as Jabulani in The November Promise
- Alex Ayanda Marova as Sgora in High School Diary
- Felix Machingambi as Comrade in Comrade
Outstanding Actress
- Auxillia Mucharevei as Nomsa in Destiny
- Munashe Goromonzi as Tsitsi in The November Promise
- Bonakele Agnes Ncube as Dudu in High School Diary
Outstanding Music Video
- Famba – Anita Jaxson, directed by Taurai Zidya
- Harare to Mutare – Shingai ft Bryan K, directed by Jonathan Samukange
- Damage – Tahle We Dzinza, directed by Jonathan Samukange
Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
- The November Promise – Derby Bheta
- High School Diary – John Mabuyane
- DNA Show – Tinashe Mugabe
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Length Film)
- Maoko akandirera by Tinashe Dhorobeni
- Daughter of the soil by Derrick Manieca
- A few dollars more by Jabu Mudzvova
Outstanding Screen Production (Full-Length Film)
- White yet Black by Steve Chikosi
- Comrade by Stephen Mutsago & Abel Silungwe
MUSIC AWARDS
Outstanding Newcomer
- Mbida-D
- Kinah the Music
- Bagga
Outstanding Female Musician
- Feli Nandi
- Janet Manyowa
- Vuyo Brown
Outstanding Male Musician
- Saintfloew
- Msiz’kay
- Enzo Ishall
Outstanding Song
- One by One – Julian King ft Saintfloew
- Raroorwa – Enzo Ishall
- Chiremerera – Jah Prayzah
Outstanding Album
- Season 4 Jesus – Joyful Praise Choir
- Chiremerera – Jah Prayzah
- Trophy – Freeman
SPECIAL AWARDS
Promoter Of the Year
- Chipaz Promotion
- Xmo Squad
- Stratosphere Events
- Prunella Investments
Outstanding Artist In The Diaspora
- Learnmore Jonasi (Stand-up comedy, USA)
- Wiina Musamati (Visual Artist, USA)
- Ernest Ndlovu (Film & Television Actor, South Africa)
- Masimba Hwati (Visual Artist, Austria)
People’s Choice Award
- Voltz JT
- Saintfloew
- Holy Ten
- Winky D
- Mai Kirifodhi
