MINISTRY OF YOUTH, SPORT, ARTS AND RECREATION
PRESS RELEASE
18th NAMA DATE MOVED
The 18TH National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) date has been moved to 13 April 2019. As a Ministry, together with our parastatal the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, we took the decision based on the current national situation of the effects of the natural disaster, cyclone IDAI that have claimed lives and vastly destroyed properties. Cognisant that we are a culture Ministry that values unhu/ubuntu, we saw it noble that we move the awards ceremony and join the rest of fellow Zimbabweans in assisting the affected families.
My Ministry sincerely apologises to the Sector, Corporates, Events Manager AB Communication, the public and nation at large for inconveniences caused by this development. We assure that the ceremony will be held accordingly as had been planned at Harare International Conference Centre.
NAMA is a platform where National Arts Council of Zimbabwe recognizes excellence in creativity and talent. The major aim of the awards is to stimulate artistic creativity and originality. Besides, the awards aim to inspire artists to strive for higher and original forms of creativity and provide an opportunity for arts disciplines to jointly market and publicize the arts locally, regionally and internationally.
Also, I take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the nation at large. We are together as a family in this difficult time of immense loses to human lives as well as properties. It is a sad period, we honour and respect all the efforts that are on course to assist the affected.
Hon. Kirsty Coventry
MINISTER OF YOUTH, SPORT, ARTS AND RECREATION
20TH MARCH 2019
VENUE
The 18th Edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) will be held in Harare on 13 April 2019 at Harare International Conference Centre. The initial date as per the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe usual calendar was 16 February 2019 and the ceremony has been moved forward due to logistical planning.
THEME
This year’s NAMA theme is “African Royalty” and it speaks to the quality and competitiveness of art products from Africa. The world is hungry for Zimbabwean works of art from film, visual arts, music, dance, literature amongst others and these should be packaged and marketed accordingly. The theme also speaks to the idea of our artists producing work that tells the proudly Zimbabwean story in a quality and global standard.
CATEGORIES
They are 8 NAMA categories that are Music, Literary, Dance, Visual, Film and television, Theatre, Media and Spoken Word. This year’s NAMA edition received a total number of 1 436 entries. Those who submitted include production houses, studios, stables, galleries, organisations, associations, groups, artistes, monitors and/or the public. Some of the entries were identified by monitors who were appointed by NACZ and kept an eye on any excelling artists throughout the year.
SPECIAL AWARDS
These Awards pay tribute to individuals and institutions that have made an impact in the development and promotion of the arts. These are the National Arts Service Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Outstanding Promoter, Artist in the Diaspora award and the People’s Choice Award. The People’s Choice Award as the name suggests is given to an individual /institution that would have received the most votes from members of the public during the voting period.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE VOTING PLATFORM
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe launched the People’s Choice voting platform on Monday 4 March 2019, voting will run until the awards night on 22nd March 2019. The People’s Choice Award is a special award given to an artist or arts organisation selected by the public. The public is afforded the opportunity to make a choice of an artist of their own at every NAMA.
To vote for one’s favourite artist for this year’s People’s Choice Award one has to send the artist’s name to this Whatsapp number 0786286955 with the hashtag #namapeopleschoice2019. The Artist with the most votes will be awarded at the awards ceremony.
As the name suggests the People’s Choice Award is given to an individual/institution that would have received the most votes from members of the public. The public is at liberty to select an artist of their choice from the NAMA categories of Music, Literary Arts, Dance, Visual Arts, Film and Television, Theatre and Spoken Word.
18TH NAMA 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
Cadric Msongelwa in Zandezi
Outstanding Actress
Heather Mlingo in Ukama
Chido Tenga in Deep Down Inside
Qeqeshiwe Mntambo in The Hostel
Outstanding Theatrical Production
Operation Restore Regasi by Masvingo Theatre and Arts
Ukama by Savanna Trust
1983: The Dark Years by Jahunda Community Arts
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. Alfazim 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 Sanganza
Bolamba Performing Arts directed by Mthabisi Dube
Outstanding Choreographer
Martin Chabuka – 100% Afro
Macintosh Jerahuni – 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 Mashaya
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 Starling
Outstanding Exhibition
Forever Neverland by Rodney Badza
To My Unborn Child by Rodney Badza
Grotesque by Allen Sibanda & Talent Kapadza
FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
Patrick Muzvondiwa 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
Tomutenda 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
Kennedy Nyavaya – Standard and 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’upheth by Clemence Dube aka Magwaza
Kanjiva by Stephen K. Mamhere aka Enzo Ishal
Mebo by Obert Chari
Artist in the Diaspora
Donel Mangena
Danai J. Gurira
Luckson Chikutu aka Manluckerz
Outstanding Promoter
2 Kings Entertainment
Unplugged
Events Evolution