The nominees for the highly anticipated 23rd edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) have been unveiled. This annual celebration of artistic excellence is set to take place on March 1 at the Harare Hippodrome.
This year’s event will be hosted by popular television personality Nabeelah Jogee, who will handle the main stage, while Charlene Mangweni-Furusa lends her voice as the show’s narrator.
Music Highlights
In the music category, Hillary Marufu, known as Master H, is a frontrunner with nominations in two categories: Outstanding Male Musician and the People’s Choice Award.
The competition in other categories, such as Visual Arts and Outstanding Exhibition, promises to be equally fierce.
Nomination Process
The organisers revealed that the adjudication process considered works created between December 1, 2023, and November 30, 2024. A total of 2,371 entries were received this year, including 814 physical submissions, 1,073 online submissions, and 484 entries gathered by monitors, according to the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ).
Here is a snapshot of this year’s nominees:
Dance Awards
- Outstanding Female Dancer:
- Tanaka Machikicho—Into the Light
- Ellain Ncube—Black Fever
- Celine Madziva—Respect My Team
- Outstanding Male Dancer:
- Ngonidzashe Mudyariwa a.k.a. Alvin Ngonie—Ndichatarisa
- Tichaona “Hero” Chikara—Into the Light
- Terrence Kapesa—Respect My Dream
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- Outstanding Choreographer:
- Future Dube—Khaya Arts Productions
- Hillary Indie—Ellysium Magna
- Tichaona Hero Chikara—Salt ‘n’ Light
Visual Arts Awards
- Outstanding Male Visual Artist:
- Ismael Mposa
- Gareth Nyandoro
- Moffat Takadiwa
- Outstanding Female Visual Artist:
- Portia Zvavahera
- Shamila Aasha
- Sinqobile Shamiso Dube
- Outstanding Exhibition:
- Our Father’s Inheritance Does Not Allow Us to Rest—Admire Kamudzengerere (Curator: Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa)
- A Woman’s Yoke—Sinqobile Shamiso Dube (Curator: Doris Kampira)
- 6th Venice Biennale—Various Artists (Curator: Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa)
Spoken Word Awards
- Outstanding Social Media Skits:
- Admire Mushambi a.k.a. Mama Vee
- Panashe Gurende a.k.a. Moojaya
- Bashimane Mothusi Ndlovu a.k.a. Sikhobokhobo Madlela
- Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian:
- Nigel Maritinyu a.k.a. Nigel Slick Pastor
- Mbongeni Ignatius Ndlovu
- Mukudzei Majoni a.k.a. King Kandoro
Film & Television Awards
- Outstanding Actress:
- Chesesile Mpofu—Tabitha Dube in Inkaba
- Munashe Goromonzi—Tsitsi in The November Promise
- Eunice Tava Chikoore—Mamoyo in Nhoroondo
- Outstanding Actor:
- John Mabuyane—Tembani Dube in Inkaba
- Tapiwa Mavindidze—Tawanda in Nhoroondo
- Skanyiso Ngwenya—Rise in Rise
- Outstanding Music Video:
- Masahwira—Enzo Ishall (Directed by AJV Entertainment)
- Nhemamusasa—Bagga (Directed by Leoy V)
- Machinda—Mulanation (Directed by Taurai Zidya Dollar)
- Mvura—Bagga (Directed by KMane)
- Outstanding Screen Production (Television):
- Inkaba—John Mabuyane
- The November Promise—Derby Beta
- The DNA Show—Tinashe Mugabe
Music Awards
- Outstanding Female Musician:
- Ashleigh Angel Moyo a.k.a. Shashl
- Janet Manyowa
- Thamsanqa Moyo a.k.a. Tamy Moyo
- Outstanding Male Musician:
- Emergy Chizanga a.k.a. Freeman HKD
- Hillary Marufu, a.k.a. Master H
- Tawanda Mambo a.k.a. Saintfloew
- Outstanding Breakthrough Musician:
- Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa a.k.a. Nisha Ts
- Tania Seremwe a.k.a. Young Gemini
- • Gift Kudakwashe Hombarume, a.k.a. ChillMaster
- Outstanding Music Group:
- Joyful Praise
- Shower Power
- The Unveiled
- Outstanding Song:
- Madiro—Kudakwashe Chapepa a.k.a. Kae Chaps
- Kana Ndanyura—Kelvin Kusikwenyu a.k.a. Killer T
- Gore Rino – Tembalami ft. The Unveiled
- Denga—Simbarashe Magado a.k.a. Hwinza
- Gore Remix—Isamel Whisky a.k.a. 216 Whisky
- Outstanding Album:
- Me vs Me—Emergy Chizanga a.k.a. Freeman HKD
- NOP Makoni—Nkosilathi Sibiya, a.k.a. Voltz JT
- Trap Yevafundisi—Tawanda Mambo a.k.a. Saintfloew
Special Awards
- Promoter of the Year:
- Nash TV
- Event Hulks
- Ngoma Nehosho
- Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora:
- Annatoria Blessing Chitapa (Music) – UK
- Wiina Musamati (theatre)—UK
- Ernest Ndlovu (film and television actor)—South Africa
- • Masimba Hwati (visual art)—Poland
