HARARE – The main event of the 21st National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) celebration, ultimately took place in Zimbabwe’s capital on Saturday night, with a fantastic and significantly upgraded gala.
The largest awards show in the nation, with the theme “Unlocking Dreams” showed its strength by demonstrating that it has reached heights unattainable by ordinary efforts.
A number of big names scooped awards including the likes of gospel diva Dorcas Moyo, poet Obert Dube and dancehall chanter Freeman HKD while there was room for surprise winners like Theophilus Chigumira.
Here is the full list of NAMA Awards 2023 winners:
- DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Female Dancer
a) Praise Dube in Ngomdladla the dunamis
b) Ndomupeishe Chipendo in Teleunga
c) Lesley Mushaninga in Silently Complicated
Outstanding Male Dancer
a) Terrence Kapesa in A Kid from Bulawayo
b) Sean Mambwere in Silently complicated
c) Devante Sangaza in A Champion’s year
Outstanding Dance Group
a) Khaya Arts in Ngomdladla the Dunamis
b) Salt and Light in A Kid from Bulawayo
c) Elysium Magna Dance Theatre in The Birth of Christ
Outstanding Dance Choreographer
a) Future Dube in Ngomdladla the Dunamis
b) Sean Mambwere in Silently Complicated
c) Hillary Indi in The Birth of Christ - VISUAL ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work
a) Working Together by Bernard Sakarombe
b) Celebrating Together by Taurai Chinofura
c) Life is a Journey by Charles Manyaura
d) Reflection by Strive Matimura
Outstanding Mixed Media
a) Looking Behind the Pot by Keith Zenda
b) Mysterical Revealer by Terrence Musekiwa
c) A Long Way 2 by Justin Gope
Outstanding Exhibition
a) Bold and Beautiful by Keith Zenda curated by Philip Butler & Keith Zenda
b) A Book that Cannot be Read by Allison Baker curated by Fadzai Muchemwa
c) Roots and Routes by Tamari & Natasha Kudita curated by Doreen Sibanda - SPOKEN WORD AWARDS
Outstanding Poet
a) Sithembile Siqoza
b) Obert Dube
c) Prince Ryanne Chidzvondo
d) Ngoni Paradza aka Mambo Guramatunhu
Outstanding Comedian
a) King Kandoro
b) Andrew Manyika
c) Tanyaradzwa Sena
Outstanding Social Media Skits
a) Admire Mushambi aka Mama Vee
b) Kudzanai Chengedza aka Mbuya vaPiyasoni
c) Theophilus Chigumira aka Mai Kirifodhi - MEDIA AWARDS
Outstanding Journalist – Print
a) Khumbulani Muleya – The Standard
b) Nyadzombe Nyampenza – The Standard/ NewsDay
c) Tafadzwa Zimoyo – The Herald
Outstanding Journalist – Radio
a) Owen Madondo – Star FM
b) Anesu Masamvu – ZiFM
c) Yvonne Tivatye – Star FM
Outstanding Journalist – Television
a) Candice Mwakalyalya – ZTN
b) Colette Musanyera – ZBC
c) Takudzwa Chihambakwe – ZTN
Outstanding – Online Media
a) Nash TV
b) Bustop TV
c) Earground - THEATRE AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
a) Shaun Mundawarara as Cullingwall in The Play that goes Wrong
b) Musa Saruro as Charles in The Play that goes Wrong
c) Ishmael Muvingi as King Lobengula in Bayethe Nkosi
Outstanding Actress
a) Caroline Yule as Mrs Perkins in The Play that goes Wrong
b) Min’enhle Mguni as Renee Stokes in Heartbreak Mafia
c) Sandra Mpofu as Maimbodeyi in Maimbodeyi
Outstanding Theatrical Production
a) Heartbreak Mafia by Reps Theatre
b) The play that goes wrong by Reps Theatre
c) Bayethe Nkosi by Umkhathi Theatre
Outstanding Director
a) Matesu Dube in Bayethe Nkosi
b) AneUnhu Gwatidzo in Heartbreak Mafia
c) Sue Bolt in The Play that Goes Wrong - LITERARY AWARDS
Outstanding First Creative Published Work
a) The Madman on First Street and other stories by David Chasumba
b) 3.15am and other stories by Rudo D.M Manyere
c) Monomotapa by Tawanda Vomo
Outstanding Children’s Book
a) When the Sun Sets by Nqobizwe Malinga
b) Let’s enjoy Village Tales with Mbuya maDishi by Valentine N.Nyagweta
c) Sloba and the Chameleonaire by Costa Chayambuka
Outstanding Fiction Book
a) The Quality of Mercy by Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu
b) Intwasa Short Stories Vol. 2 edited by Raisedon Baya
c) Chapwati by Ignatius C. Musonza
Outstanding Poetry Book
a) Starfish Blossoms by Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure
b) Ichibi Lezinkondlo by Obert Dube
c) I know why the Heart Sings by Patience Chiyangwa - FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
a) Searchmore Takavada as Husband in 3 days in March
b) Shaun Mundawarara as Jay in Just say Hello
c) Farai Chigudu as Toro in Ngoda
Outstanding Actress
a) Charity Mahowa-Matavo as Tete Rhoda in Viva Wenera
b) Sylvia Mavezera as Wife in 3 days in March
c) Chiedza Mhende as Sonja in Just say Hello
Outstanding Music Video
a) Changes in time (Mvura Yanaya) by Evicted, Directed by Vusa Hlatshwayo
b) Kamoto by Mwenje Mathole, Directed by Jonathana Samkange
c) Fight For Me by Mann Friday, Directed by Kalai Faye Barlow
d) Huya Tinamate by Gemma Griffith ft Enzo Ishall, Directed by Kyle Brown
Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
a) Intab’enkulu (Directed by Kuda Brian Bwititi)
b) Viva Wenera (Directed by Eddy Ndlovu)
c) Tangled (Directed by Shem Zemura)
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Length Film)
a) 3 Days in March (Directed by Kuda Brian Bwititi)
b) Konflict (Directed by Sydney Taivavashe)
c) A Stitch in Tim (Directed by William Nyandoro and Raisedon Baya)
Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length Film)
a) Ngoda (Directed by Joe Njagu and Eddie Sandifolo)
b) Just say Hello (Directed by Invision Studios)
c) Benignity (Directed by Tinashe Mombeshora) - MUSIC AWARDS
Outstanding New Comer
a) Tavonga Leo Magombedze (Leo Magozz), Farai Gadzani (Bling 4) and Brian Kadyamarunga (Brian Jeck)
b) Silas Mavende aka Saint Floew
c) Andrea Sibanda aka Andrea The Vocalist
Outstanding Female Musician
a) Feli Nandi
b) Dorcas Moyo
c) Sandra Ndebele
Outstanding Male Musician
a) Mark Ngwazi
b) Braveman Chizvino Mawanza aka Baba Harare
c) Energy Silvester Chizanga aka Freeman
Outstanding Song
a) Tirikutandarara by Dorcas Moyo
b) Fire Emoji by Tavonga Leo Magombedze (Leo Magozz), Farai Gadzani (Bling 4) and Brian Kadyamarunga (Brian Jeck)
c) Zimbabwean Queen by Energy Silvester Chizanga (Freeman) and Chris Martin
Outstanding Album
a) Zimbabwean Giant by Braveman Chizvino Mawanza aka Baba Harare
b) David and Goliath by Energy Silvester Chizanga aka Freeman
c) Nharo Nezvine Nharo by Mark Ngwazi - SPECIAL AWARDS
Promoter Of The Year
a) Matabeleland Natural Resources Management
b) X-Mo Squad
c) 2 Kings Entertaiment
d) Chipaz Promotion
Outstanding Artist In The Diaspora
a) Tanaka Fireyi – China
b) Charmaine Shamiso Mapimbiro aka Shasha – South Africa
c) Tafara Nyatsanza – USA
d) Sibongile Mlambo – USA
Arts Service Award
a) Davidson S. Maruziva
Lifetime Achievement Award
a) Barbara Makhalisa Nkala
Arts Personality Award
a) Dominic Benhura
People’s Choice Award
a) Theophilus Chigumira aka Mai Kirifodhi.
