The 22nd Zimbabwe National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA), were held on Saturday 24 February 2024 under the theme #KWAN22 in appreciation of their return to Bulawayo – the city of kings and queens. Early this month, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe announced the nominees for this year’s Nama Awards via Facebook, in a video presented by the Chairperson of the Nama Adjudication Committee, Hope Masike.
The nominees were selected from submissions and work identified by individual and institutional monitors appointed to track excelling artists. 1280 entries were received, with Bulawayo Province having the most submissions. The music categories had the most submissions, followed by the visual arts.
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
SPOKEN WORD AWARDS
Outstanding Poet
Ngonidzashe Paradza aka Mambo Guramatunhu
Shanay Wood
Chioniso Tsikisayi
Outstanding Social Media Skits
Admire Takudzwa Mushambi aka Mama Vee [Winner]
Theophilus Chigumira aka Mai Kirifodhi
Kudzanai Chengedza aka Mbuya VaPiyasoni
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 [Winner]
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
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 [Winner]
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
Tesserae: 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 [Winner]
Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
The November Promise – Derby Bheta
High School Diary – John Mabuyane
DNA Show – Tinashe Mugabe [Winner]
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 [Winner]
Bagga
Outstanding Female Musician
Feli Nandi [Winner]
Janet Manyowa
Vuyo Brown
Outstanding Male Musician
Saintfloew
Msiz’kay
Enzo Ishall [Winner]
Outstanding Song
One by One – Julian King ft Saintfloew
Raroorwa – Enzo Ishall [Winner]
Chiremerera – Jah Prayzah
Outstanding Album
Season 4 Jesus – Joyful Praise Choir
Chiremerera – Jah Prayzah [Winner]
Trophy – Freeman
SPECIAL AWARDS
Promoter Of the Year
Chipaz Promotion [Winner]
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 [Winner]
Mai Kirifodhi
Social commentator Shadhaya had this to say:
These NAMA awards are a scam:
Like him or not Holy 10 deserved Best Male, Best Song & even Best Album, the whole 2023 akarira
Even Best Newcomer, Bagga was robbed
Outstanding Journalist, imika
Outstanding Social Media Skit, Mama Vee, we get it diversity (his community has to be represented) but come on, where is Chief Ben, Allen Skits, Comic Elder
Only rightful thing was Winky D winning People’s Choice Awards, they could have rigged him if they wanted to
And how does the biggest event in the entertainment industry happen without many people knowing about it? Poor marketing
