National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Announces Nominees for the 23rd National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA)

Harare, Zimbabwe | The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) is excited to announce the nominees for the prestigious 23rd edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA). The nominees were selected from works created between December 1, 2023, and November 30, 2024.

The adjudication process began on December 1, 2024, with a total of 2,371 entries received, including 814 physical entries, 1,073 online submissions, and 484 entries submitted by appointed monitors tracking the achievements of outstanding artists throughout the year.

The NACZ extends its heartfelt gratitude to all artists, production houses, producers, media houses, promoters, creative stables, arts organizations, institutions, and individuals who submitted entries for this year’s NAMA edition. Your contributions continue to inspire and elevate the arts in Zimbabwe.

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Furthermore, congratulations to all the nominees. A NAMA nomination is already a national endorsement of your work. Let the excellence of your creative output speak for itself.

23rd NAMA Edition Nominees:

1. Dance Awards

• Outstanding Female Dancer:

  • Tanaka Machikicho (Into the Light)
  • Ellain Ncube (Black Fever)
  • Celine Madziva (Respect My Team)

• Outstanding Male Dancer:

  • Ngonidzashe Mudyariwa aka Alvin Ngonie (Ndichatarisa)
  • Tichaona “Hero” Chikara (Into the Light)
  • Terrence Kapesa (Respect My Dream)

• Outstanding Dance Group/Production:

  • Salt ‘n’ Light (Into the Light)
  • Khaya Arts Productions (UniAfrican)
  • Afrikera Arts Trust (Ndichatarisa)

• Outstanding Choreographer:

  • Future Dube (Khaya Arts Productions)
  • Hillary Indie (Ellysium Magna)
  • Tichaona Hero Chikara (Salt ‘n’ Light)

2. 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 Upcoming Visual Artist:

  • Fungai Marima
  • Kundai Nathan
  • Nothando Chiwanga

• Outstanding Exhibition:

  • Our Father’s Inheritance Does Not Allow Us to Rest by Admire Kamudzengerere, curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa
  • A Woman’s Yoke by Sinqobile Shamiso Dube, curated by Doris Kampira
  • 6th Venice Biennale by Various Artists, curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa

3. Spoken Word Awards

• Outstanding Poet:

  • Sithandazile Dube aka Um’Africakazi
  • Kudakwashe Rice
  • Mighty Mahembe aka General Fire Collosso

• Outstanding Social Media Skits:

  • Admire Mushambi aka Mama Vee
  • Panashe Gurende aka Moojaya
  • Bashimane Mothusi Ndlovu aka Sikhobokhobo Madlela

• Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian:

  • Nigel Maritinyu aka Nigel Slick Pastor
  • Mbongeni Ignatius Ndlovu
  • Mukudzei Majoni aka King Kandoro

4. Theatre Awards

• Outstanding Actress:

  • Chidochangu Tenga (Molly Street)
  • Caroline Mashingaidze Zimbizi (Family Riots)
  • Munashe Goromonzi (The Aftermath)

• Outstanding Actor:

  • Ronald Madodana Sigeca (Promise)
  • Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi (Haywire)
  • Michael Kudakwashe (Family Riots)

• Outstanding Theatrical Production:

  • The Aftermath – Patsimeredu Trust
  • Promise – Savanna Trust
  • Family Riots – Almas Collaborative Arts

• Outstanding Director:

  • Promise by Teddy Mangawa
  • Haywire by Everson Ndlovu
  • Aftermath by Nobert Makoche

• Outstanding Playwright:

  • Promise by Leonard Matsa
  • Molly Street by Peter Churu
  • Family Riots by Gideon J Wabvuta

5. Literary Arts Awards

• Outstanding First Published Work:

  • Zagamo the War Within by Ray Mawerera
  • Mafuta Enguruve by Trust Mutekwa
  • A Father’s Agony and Other Stories by Takudzwa Chiwara

• Outstanding Children’s Book:

  • The Tale of Jackal and Man by Joseph Matose
  • Chimbira Nedzimwe Ngano by Primrose Dzenga
  • Cartoonist by Hleko Vuma

• Outstanding Fiction Book:

  • The Full Moon Rises at Sunset by Susan Hubert
  • Weeping Tomato by Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure
  • Aziwelanga Phansi by Welshman Dube

• Outstanding Non-Fiction Book:

  • Engage Zimbabwe: A Cultural Intelligence Handbook for Effective Diplomacy Volume I – Shona Culture by Lovemore and Chido Kuwana
  • Your Guide to Adulting by Rumbidzai Munyaradzi
  • Entrepreneurial Success: Insights on Growing Business in a Fluid Economy by Divine Simbi-Ndlukula PhD

6. Film & Television Awards

• Outstanding Actress:

  • Chesesile Mpofu (Inkaba)
  • Munashe Goromonzi (The November Promise)
  • Eunice Tava Chikoore (Nhoroondo)

• Outstanding Actor:

  • John Mabuyane (Inkaba)
  • Tapiwa Mavindidze (Nhoroondo)
  • Skanyiso Ngwenya (Rise)

• Outstanding Music Video:

  • Masahwira by Enzo Ishall, Directed by AJV Entertainment
  • Nhemamusasa by Bagga, Directed by Leoy V
  • Machinda by Mulanation, Directed by Taurai Zidya Dollar

• Outstanding Screen Production (Television):

  • Inkaba by John Mabuyane
  • The November Promise by Derby Beta
  • The DNA Show by Tinashe Mugabe

• Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film):

  • Taxi by Jonathan Samukange
  • Dollar by Tawanda Vombo
  • Emuva – The Battle of Emotions by Siphosethu Sibadze

• Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length Film):

  • See Me by Charlene Mangweni Furusa
  • Ndoroondo by Vusa Hlatswayo
  • Neria by Trust Sayi

7. Music Awards

• Outstanding Female Musician:

  • Ashleigh Angel Moyo aka Shashl
  • Janet Manyowa
  • Thamsanqa Moyo aka Tamy Moyo

• Outstanding Male Musician:

  • Emergy Chizanga aka Freeman HKD
  • Hillary Marufu aka Master H
  • Tawanda Mambo aka Saintfloew

• Outstanding Breakthrough Musician:

  • Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa aka Nisha Ts
  • Tania Seremwe aka Young Gemini
  • Gift Kudakwashe Hombarume aka Chillmaster

• Outstanding Music Group:

  • Joyful Praise
  • Shower Power
  • The Unveiled

• Outstanding Song:

  • Madiro by Kudakwashe Chapepa aka Kae Chaps
  • Kana Ndanyura by Kelvin Kusikwenyu aka Killer T
  • Gore Rino by Tembalami Tagwirei aka Tembalami ft. The Unveiled

• Outstanding Album:

  • Me vs Me by Emergy Chizanga aka Freeman HKD
  • NOP Makoni by Nkosilathi Sibiya aka Voltz JT
  • Trap Yevafundisi by Tawanda Mambo aka Saintfloew

8. 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 TV Actor) – South Africa
  • Masimba Hwati (Visual Artist) – Poland

• People’s Choice Award:

  • Nkosilathi Sibiya aka Voltz JT
  • Dorcas Moyo
  • Theophilus Chigumira aka Mai Kilifodhi
  • Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky D
  • Hillary Marufu aka Master H

We look forward to celebrating Zimbabwe’s artistic excellence at the 23rd National Arts Merit Awards.