The 24th edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMAs) will be held on the 28th of February 28 under the theme “Fearless Creativity.” The event will be hosted at HICC in Harare, under the management of Scarlet Studios and Events Evolution.
Ahead of the showcase the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe has revealed this year’s list of nominees:
VISUAL ARTS
Outstanding Female Visual Artist
Amanda Shingirai Mushate – Chimoro Nehukoshwa Part 1
Sabina Mutsvati – Ndishonongoreyiwo
Shamila Aasha – Healing Alchemy
Outstanding Male Visual Artist
Confidence Zinyeka – Intimate Conversation
Pardon Mapondera – Dotipaiwo Mwenje
Tinotenda Chivhinge – Nonsense Hit Song
Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist
Claire Munjoma – Shanduko
Tadiwanashe Joel Mafuta – Dismas
Crystal Vimbainashe Beseni – Maps Of Everything
Outstanding Exhibition
Ndishonongoreyiwo [Solo Exhibition] by Sabina Mutsvati, curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa
Perfection Is Not Always Reality [Solo Exhibition] by Tinotenda Chivhinge, curated by Doris Kamupira
Cheuka Harare Art Fair curated by Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe
THEATRE AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
Cadrick Msongelwa as Squealer/Storyteller/Mr Jones in Zi Animal Farm
Elroy Takunda Musiiwa as Benjamin/Storyteller One in Zi Animal Farm
Ronald Sigeca as Prophet in These Humans Are Sick
Outstanding Actress
Chidochashe Joanne Tenga as Bope in Can We Talk?
Tsungirirai Chenjerai as Snowball/Clover/Storyteller in Zi Animal Farm
Thandolwenkosi Nkiwane as Multi-Characters in Ipi Ntombi
Outstanding Theatrical Production
In Search Of A King by Celebration Church
Can We Talk? by Almasi Collaborative Arts
Zi Animal Farm by Savanna Trust
Outstanding Director
Daniel Deuschle – In Search Of A King
Leonard Matsa – Can We Talk?
Sandra Braddock – Ipi Ntombi
Outstanding Playwright
Tatenda Mutyambizi – These Humans Are Sick
Batsirai Chigama – Can We Talk?
LITERARY AWARDS
Outstanding Fiction Book
Iluba Lika Ntunjambila by Polite Sibanda, published by Pre-dawn Publishers
My Affair with Misfortune by Sipho Mpofu, published by Elane Publishing Consultancy
The Toppling by Cynthia Rumbidzai Marangwanda, published by Carnelian Heart Publishing Ltd
Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
Gonan’ombe Retsikz Nemarairo eChivanhu by Morden Tavarwisa, published by Miamuty
Kurasika MuAfurika by Rumbidzai Caroline Kahari, published by Essential Books Publishing Company
The Essentials to Faithful Living by Michael H. Nyawera, published by Beyond Today
Outstanding Children’s Book
Mukanyawashe’s Big Adventure by Gerald Shorayi, published by Essential Books Publishing Company
The Adventures of Dafi and Rize by Wadzanai Tadhuvana, published by Kunda Kids Publishers
The Old River Woman by Shakespeare Dirani, published by Essential Books Publishing Company
Special Mention:
The Exciting Story of Chipo The Bird by Jean Taanashe Botso, published by Essential Books Publishing Company
Munashe The Clever Boy by Rigel Chabata, published by Essential Books Publishing Company
Outstanding First Published Work
Hanzi Huchi Hwendari – Kubva Mukatikati by Ushewedu Kufakurinani, published by Carnelian Heart Publishing Ltd
The Killer Pastor by Entourade Usayi, published by Soar Publishers
Zvamuri Ndaimbova Zvandiri Muchava by Josiah Muchada, published by Sahara Publishers
FILM & TELEVISION AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
Calvin Madulz as Stan “SK” Khumalo in High School Diaries
Charles Kamara as Mike in Nhai Maiguru
Leroy Siyafa as James in God Sleeps on Sundays
Outstanding Actress
Wizzy Mangoma as Chirongoma in God Sleeps on Sundays
Charity Dlodlo as Maria in Forget Me Not
Natasha Dlamini as Beauty in Totem
Outstanding Music Video
“Kuno” by Jah Prayzah, directed by Blaqs and Director Dave
“Fake Love” by Winky D, directed by Jusa Dementor
“Nguva NdeyaMwari” by Dorcas Moyo, directed by Mr Hasty
Outstanding Screen Production (TV)
High School Diaries by John Mabuyane
Magweja by Dexter Fundire
Love Across the Ocean by Willy Makumire
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)
A Future Untold by Prosper Kunyetu
God Sleeps on Sundays by Naishe Nyambuya
Totem by Nicole Panashe Dzenga
Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length)
Loved Out by Tendai Nyeke
Dilemma by Joe Njagu
Mwana Wangu by Nakai Beauty Tsuro
DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Dance Group/Production
Salt ‘n’ Light Dance Company in Still Salty
Diamond Girls in Unseen Stars
MnM Dance Factory in African Sunrise
Outstanding Female Dancer
Mandisa Maseko in The Crown Project
Celine Madziva in Celine’s Work
Lisa Tanaka Magwenzi in Lissa Tanaka
Outstanding Male Dancer
Prince Mbisa in The Rise of Amazing Prince
Lawrence Sirewo in Big Brother Mzansi
Shadreck Moyo in The Cowboys
Outstanding Choreographer
Tanaka Machikicho in Diamond Girls
Celine Madziva in Celine’s Work
Terrence Kapesa in Salt ‘n’ Light Dance Company
SPOKEN WORD AWARDS
Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian
Frank Chirisa
Mbongeni Ignatius
Nigel Tha Slick Pastor
Outstanding Poet
Obert Dube
Sithandazile Dube
Thaluso Moyo
MUSIC AWARDS
Outstanding Female Musician
Sharon Manyonganise Cherayi
Nisha Ts
Shashl
Outstanding Male Musician
Minister Michael Mahendere
Freeman HKD
Jah Prayzah
Outstanding Breakthrough Musician
Jnr Spragga
Atenda Chinx
Shone
Outstanding Music Group
The Redeemed Family
VeRutendo
Joyful Praise
Outstanding Song
“Ruzhowa” by Jah Prayzah
“Admire Kadembo” by Nisha Ts
“Too Much” by Nutty O
Outstanding Album
The Notebook by Freeman HKD
Ndini Mukudzeyi by Jah Prayzah
The Woman King by Nisha Ts
FASHION AWARDS
Outstanding Male Designer
Rangarirai Kenias – Raengah
Brightman Dlamini – Tocar Narrations
Ishmael Tsakatsa – Zargue’sia
Outstanding Female Designer
Nomakhosazana Khanyile Ncube – A Tribe Called Zimbabwe
Danayi Madondo – Haus Of Stone
Joyce Chimanye – ZUVVA
DIGITAL ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding Female Social Media Content Creator
Nashe The Plug
Pot Tradition
Butterphly
Outstanding Male Social Media Content Creator
The African Finder
Kelvin Briot
Magriza Made Me Cook
Outstanding Podcast
Zigo Podcast
Pass and Move Podcast
The Ollah 7 Podcast
Outstanding Social Media Skits
Comic Elder
Tokoloshi
Thugga Thugga
SPECIAL AWARDS
Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora
Nitefreak
Manluckerz
Chrispen Nyathi
Promoter of the Year
Stratosphere Events
Odyssey Entertainment
Ngoma Nehosho
People’s Choice Award
Prince Chigwida
Comic Elder
Winky D
Jah Prayzah
Ritz Mcleish
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