The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has announced the final list of nominees for the 18th National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) edition to be held on March 23, 2019 at Harare International Conference Centre.
Categories in the list include spoken word awards, literary arts awards, theatre awards, dance awards visual arts awards, films and television awards media awards, music awards and special awards.
Nominees for the various categories include Likhwa Ncube, Dumisani H. Ndlovu “Maforty-forty”, Qeqeshiwe Mtambo, Vusa Hlatshwayo and Andy Buza.
Former Skyz Metro-FM radio personality Babongile Sikhonjwa was nominated for Outstanding Journalist on Radio.
Popular artists such as Jeys Marabini, Sandra Ndebele and Magwaza were nominated in the music awards category.
The Voice UK 2018 runner up Donnel Mangena was nominated in the special awards category.
In a press statement, Professor Ruby Magosvongwe the NAMA adjudication panel chairperson said the final list was based on submitted entries as well as those that were identified by individual and institutional monitors that were appointed to keep an eye on excelling artists throughout the year.
“NACZ extends its profound gratitude to artists, production houses, producers, media houses, promoters, creative stables, arts organisations and institutions, and all those that submitted entries for the 18th Edition of NAMA, for making the process successful. NACZ values the contributions and participation that keep the NAMA brand afloat,” said Prof. Magosvongwe.
She hailed the level of originality and innovation which is one of the key aspects in the nomination criteria.
“There was a remarkable improvement in the quality of films submitted,” said Prof. Magosvongwe.
“Artists are embracing new technologies, a development that was measured through the number of entries that were submitted online.”
She said this year’s edition, NAMA received an increase in submissions for nominations which shows the brand is growing.
“There was a remarkable increase on media platforms and channels under Media which is a clear sign that the sector is embracing technology and moving with time,” said Prof. Magosvongwe.
“In music, entries were on the increase with many artists producing singles and pushing the competitiveness in the sector. There was a clear upstaging of seasoned artists by unexpected names.”
She added: “NACZ extends its profound gratitude to artists, production houses, producers, media houses, promoters, creative stables, arts organisations and institutions, and all those that submitted entries for the 18th Edition of NAMA, for making the process successful.
Full List of Nominees:
SPOKEN WORD AWARDS
Outstanding Poet
Mercy Dhliwayo – aka Extreme Sanity
Likhwa Ncube – aka Likhwa okaNcube
Beloved Maridzanere – aka Beloved Poet
Special Mention
Tanaka Tshuma aka ECTS
Outstanding Comedian
Sharon Chideu – aka Magi
Dumisani H. Ndlovu – aka Maforty-forty
Learnmore Mwanyenyeka – aka Long John
LITERARY ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding First Creative Published Book
Gather the Children by Batsirai Chigama [Ntombekhaya Poetry]
Kwaisava Kuda Kwangu by Victor Zivanayi and Telmore Mutiwazuka [Progressive Publishers]
Ndinobvunzawo Njira Inoende KwaMakasa by Takesure Taringana [Dzekanyi Publications]
Outstanding Children’s Book
My Rights and Other Poems by Pentecost Mate [Pentolacut Publishers]
The City Girl by Elisha July and Tendai K. Rudanda [Pass-Point Publishers]
Outstanding Fiction
Itai by Abraham Makamera [Pearl Press Media]
Mazai Emheni by Daniel Mutendi [DanTs Media Publishing]
THEATRE AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
Teddy Mangawa in Ukama
Ronald Sigeca in Zandezi
Cedric Msongelwa in Zandezi
Outstanding Actress
Heather Mlingo in Ukama
Chido Tenga in Deep Down Inside
Qeqeshiwe Mtambo in The Hostel
Outstanding Theatrical Production
Operation Restore Regasi by Charles Munganasa
Ukama by Savanna Trust
1983: The Dark Years by Adrian Moyo
Outstanding Director
Lloyd Nyikadzino for Zandezi
Everson Ndlovu for Deep Down Inside
Thulani Mbambo for The Hostel
DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Female Dancer
Chaleen Chimara in Iwe Neni Tinebasa
Vein N. Alfazema in Black Sheep
Michelle Msopera in Chasing Dreams
Outstanding Male Dancer
Sean Mambwere in Know Him
Devante T. Sangaza in My Journey Towards Success
Martin Chabuka in 100% Afro
Outstanding Dance Group
Real Flex Dance Group directed by Martin Chabuka
Ji Lin Dance Group directed by Devante Tatenda Sangaza
Bolamba Performing Arts directed by Mthabisi Dube
Outstanding Choreographer
Martin Chabuka – 100% Afro
Macintosh Jerahuni & Chaleen Chimara – Iwe Neni Tinebasa
Sean Mambwere – Know Him
VISUAL ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work
Light Over Dark by Cosmas Shiridzinomwa
The Demolition by John Kotze
The Patriarch (Revisited) by Percy Manyonga
Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work
Zvirimudombo by Shelton Mubayi
Protection by Israel Israel
The Orchestic Night by Givemore Mushaya
Outstanding Mix Media Work
Man From the Thirsty Land by Collins Chitaka
The Watchman and the Fence I by Greg Shaw
Whose Memory Whose Place by Neville Sterling
Outstanding Exhibition
Forever Neverland by Valerie Kabov
To My Unborn Child by Valerie Kabov
The Grotesque by Alan Sibanda & Talent Kapadza
FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
Patrick Muzondiwa as Tebogo in Kuchina The Genesis
Eddie Sandifolo as Clive in Bhachi
Stephen Chigorimbo as David in Ghost of Actions Past
Special Mention
Admire Kuzhangaira – in Death and Other Complications
Outstanding Actress
Nothando Nobengula as Ana in Daddy’s Present
Brooke Ann Franklin as Laura in Ghost of Actions Past
Tendaishe Chitima as Anesu in Cook Off
Outstanding Music Video
Tinomutenda Neyi produced by Andy Sobhuza ft. Janet Manyowa
Dzamutsana produced by Vusa Hlatshayo ft. Jah Prayzah
Tekere produced by Andy Sobhuza ft. Tamy Moyo
Outstanding Screen Production (Television Series)
Muzita Rababa directed by Shem Zemura
Kuchina The Genesis directed by Blessing Gatsi
Tunga directed by Willard Magombedze
Special Mention
Gaza directed by Ben Mahaka
Outstanding Screen Production – Short Film
Bhachi directed by Shupai Kamunyaru
My Best Friend directed by Derby Bheta
Scourge directed by Eddie Sandifolo
Outstanding Screen Production – Full Length Film
Daddy’s Present directed by Lucia Kanyongo
Death and Other Complications directed by Shem Zemura
Cook Off directed by Thomas Brickhill
MEDIA AWARDS
Outstanding Journalist – Print
Kenneth Nyangani – Newsday
Fred Zindi – Standard
Plot Mhako – Herald
Outstanding Journalist – Television
Mhlomuli Ncube – ZTV
Patience Nyagato – ZTV
Outstanding Journalist – Radio
Tariro Mazvarirofa aka Mai Judah – Star FM
Babongile Sikhonjwa – Sky Metro FM
Patience Musa & Nhire Mutimbanepasi – ZiFM
Outstanding Online Media
Capitalk
Zol Connect
Urban Culxure
MUSIC AWARDS
Outstanding Female Musician
Thamsanqa Moyo aka Tamy
Janet Manyowa
Sandra Ndebele
Outstanding Male Musician
Stephen K. Mamhere aka Enzo Ishall
Enoch Munhenga aka ExQ
Braveman Chizvino aka Baba Harare
Outstanding Album
Grateful by Janet Manyowa
Ntunjambila by Majahawodwa Ndlovu aka Jeys Marabini
Tseu Tseu by Enock Munhenga aka ExQ
Dzinosvika Kure by Alick Macheso
Outstanding Song
Sweetie by Nicodimus Mutize aka Jah Signal
Khal’uphethe by Clemence Ncube aka Magwaza
Kanjiva by Stephen K. Mamhere aka Enzo Ishal
Mebo by Obert Chari
SPECIAL AWARDS
Artist in the Diaspora
Donel Mangena
Danai J. Gurira
Luckson Chikutu
