BULAWAYO – The much anticipated NAMA Awards were held in Bulawayo on Saturday night amid pomp and fanfare topped by the usual controversy.
Dancehall musician Enzo Ishall was the biggest winner with two awards for Song of the Year and Male Artist of the Year accolades while Feli Nandi clinched the Female Artist of the Year award.
The awards saw the return of Winky D to the winners list in his undisputed People’s Choice category after being controversially dropped in the previous edition.
Rising poet Mambo Guramatunhu, real name, Ngoni Paradza finally got his hands on the big award after winning the Poet of the Year.
However, the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) ceremony, known for its celebration of Zimbabwean talent across various artistic genres, once again found itself embroiled in controversy and criticism.
This time, the source of contention stems from the Video of the Year accolade, awarded to Tahle Wedzinza for a song that notably lacks an accompanying music video.
Tahle’s track, titled ‘Damage,’ secured the coveted award despite not garnering significant visibility on popular platforms like YouTube, where views reportedly remained below a thousand.
This unexpected outcome has sparked questions regarding the transparency and credibility of the NAMA selection process.
The decision to honor a song without a corresponding music video has raised eyebrows within the Zimbabwean arts community, with many expressing skepticism over the criteria used to determine the winners.
Critics argue that recognizing a piece of work that has not been widely disseminated or visually represented undermines the essence of the Video of the Year category, which traditionally celebrates the visual storytelling and creative direction showcased in music videos.
Here is the full list of NAMA Awards 2024 winners:
DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Female Dancer: Deborah Kabongo in Fame in a Frame
Outstanding Male Dancer: Sean Mambwere in The Chronicles
Outstanding Dance Group: Salt and Light – The Chronicles
Outstanding Dance Choreographer: Terence Kapesa – A man from Bulawayo – Saint Floew
VISUAL ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding 2-Dimensional Work: Wire Car by Christwish Mulunga
Outstanding 3-Dimensional Work: Charging Gorilla by Ray Chataira
Outstanding Mixed Media Work: Sins of our forefathers
Outstanding Exhibition: Pamoyo Sihlengeni – (Solo Exhibition at National Gallery of Zimbabwe – Bulawayo: curated by Doris Kamupira)
SPOKEN WORD AWARDS
Outstanding Poet: Ngonidzashe Paradza aka Mambo Guramatunhu
Outstanding Comedian: (None)
Outstanding Social Media Skit: Admire Takudzwa Mushambi aka Mama Vee
MEDIA AWARD
Outstanding Journalist – Print: Sindiso Dube –Alpha Media
Outstanding Journalist – Radio: Chamvary – ZiFM stereo
Outstanding Journalist – Television: Collete Musanyera – ZTV
Outstanding Online Media: Khumbulani Muleya – Heart and Soul
THEATRE AWARDS
Outstanding Actor: Dean Jones as Lago in Aladdin
Outstanding Actress: Musawenkosi Sibanda as ALL MOTHER: Simunye We Are One.
Outstanding Theatrical Production: Simunye We are One directed by Mongi Wekhaya Mthombeni produced by Shearwater
Outstanding Theatre Director: Lloyd Nyikadzino
LITERARY AWARDS
Outstanding First Creative Published Work: The Train House on Lobengula Street by Fatima Kara
Outstanding Children’s Book: The Haunted Pumkin by Mai Sarungano Folktales
Outstanding Fiction book: UKhethiwe by Zibusiso Mabonisa
Outstanding Poetry Book: Shamhu yezera renyu by Memory Chirere
FILM & TELEVISION AWARD
Outstanding Actor: Everson K Chieza as Jabulani in the November Promise
Outstanding Actress: Bonakele Agnes Ncube as Dudu in High School Diary
Outstanding Music Video: Damage – Tahle WeDzinza – Directed by Jonathan Samukange
Outstanding Screen Production (Television): High School Diary – John Mabuyane
Outstanding Screen Production (short length film): Daughter of the soil by Derrick Manieca
Outstanding Screen Production (full length film): White yet Black by Steve Chikosi
MUSIC AWARDS
Outstanding Newcomer: Kinah the Music (Shekinah Nathan Ndlovu)
Outstanding Female Musician: Feli Nandi
Outstanding Male Musician: Enzo Ishall
Outstanding Song: Bhebhi Rako Raroorwa by Enzo Ishall
Outstanding Album: Chiremerera by Jah Prayzah
SPECIAL AWARDS
Promoter of the Year: Chipaz Promotions
Artist in the Diaspora: Learnmore Jonasi Mwanyenyeka aka Long John (Stand Up Comedy) based in the US.
Arts Personality of the Year: Clive Mono Mukundu
Arts Service Award: Robert Malcolm McLaren
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr Thompson Kumbirayi Tsodzo
People’s Choice Award: Winky D
