The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) is delighted to announce the nominees for the 23rd edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA).
The adjudicated works for the 23rd NAMA were drawn from the period between December 1, 2023, and November 30, 2024.
The adjudication process began on December 1, 2024, based on submitted entries as well as those identified by individual and institutional monitors appointed to track excelling artists throughout the year.
In total, the NACZ received 2,371 entries, comprising 814 physical submissions, 1,073 online entries, and 484 submissions from monitors.
The NACZ and the adjudicators extend sincere gratitude to all artists, production houses, media houses, promoters, creative stables, arts organizations, institutions, and everyone who submitted entries for the 23rd NAMA edition.
Their contributions ensure the continued growth and success of Zimbabwe’s dynamic arts scene. The NACZ also congratulates all nominees, affirming that a NAMA nomination is already a national endorsement of artistic excellence.
Below are the nominees across various categories for the 23rd NAMA edition:
Dance Awards
- Outstanding Female Dancer
- Tanaka Machikicho in Into the Light
- Ellain Ncube in Black Fever
- Celine Madziva in Respect My Team
- Outstanding Male Dancer
- Ngonidzashe Mudyariwa aka Alvin Ngonie in Ndichatarisa
- Tichaona “Hero” Chikara in Into the Light
- Terrence Kapesa in Respect My Dream
- Outstanding Dance Group/Production
- Salt ‘n’ Light – Into the Light
- Khaya Arts Productions – UniAfrica
- Afrikera Arts Trust – Ndichatarisa
- Outstanding Choreographer
- Future Dube – Khaya Arts Productions
- Hillary Indie – Ellysium Magna
- Tichaona Chikara – Salt ‘n’ Light
Visual Arts Awards
- Outstanding Male Visual Artist
- Ismail Hajee 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 (curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa)
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
Theatre Awards
- Outstanding Actress
- Chidochangu Tenga as Molly in Molly Street
- Caroline Mashingaidze Zimbizi as Tete Sabina in Family Riots
- Munashe Goromonzi as girl’s mother and a girl in The Aftermath
- Outstanding Actor
- Ronald Madodana Sigeca as Factual Gumunyu in Promise
- Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi as Moris and multi characters in Haywire
- Michael Kudakwashe as Sidney in Family Riots
- Outstanding Theatrical Production
- The Aftermath
- Promise
- Family Riots
- Outstanding Director
- Promise by Teddy Mangawa
- Haywire by Everson Ndlovus
- Aftermath by Nobert Makoche
- Outstanding Playwright
- Promise by Leonard Matsa
- Molly Street by Peter Churu
- Family Riots by Gideon J. Wabvuta
Literary Arts Awards
- Outstanding First Published Work
- Zagamo the War Within by Ray Mawerera, Published by Royalty Books
- Mafuta Enguruve by Trust Mutekwa, Published by Carnelian Heart Publishing Limited
- A Father’s Agony and Other Stories by Takudzwa Chiwara, Published by Royalty Books
- Outstanding Children’s Book
- The Tale of Jackal and Man by Joseph Matose
- Chimbira Nedzimwe Ngano by Primrose Dzenga, Published by Torch Bearers Trust Books
- Cartoonist by Hleko Vuma, Published by Essential Publishing Company
- Outstanding Fiction Book
- The Full Moon Rises at Sunset by Susan Hubert – Self Published
- Weeping Tomato by Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure, Published by Carnelian Hearts Limited
- Aziwelanga Phansi by Welshman Dube, Published by Dawundethi Publishers
- Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
- Engage Zimbabwe: A Cultural Intelligence Handbook for Effective Diplomacy Volume I – Shona Culture by Lovemore and Chido Kuwana, Published by Kuwana Media and Culture Consultants (Pvt) Ltd
- Your Guide to Adulting by Rumbidzai Munyaradzi, Published by Rumbidzai Munyaradzi
- Entrepreneurial Success: Insights on Growing Business in a Fluid Economy by Divine Simbi-Ndlukula PhD, Published by Divine Simbi-Ndlukula (PhD)
Film & Television Awards
- Outstanding Actress
- Chesesile Mpofu as Tabitha Dube in Inkaba
- Munashe Goromonzi as Tsitsi in The November Promise
- Eunice Tava Chikoore as Mamoyo in Nhoroondo
- Outstanding Actor
- John Mabuyane as Tembani Dube in Inkaba
- Tapiwa Mavindidze as Tawanda in Nhoroondo
- Skanyiso Ngwenya as Rise in 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
- Nhoroondo by Vusa Hlatswayo
- Neria by Trust Sayi
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
- Joyfull 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
- Denga by Simbarashe Magado aka Hwinza
- Gore Remix by Isamel Whisky aka 216 Whisky ft. Various Artists
- 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
Special Awards
- Promoter of the Year
- Nash TV
- Event Hulks
- Ngoma Nehosho
- Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora
- Annatoria Blessing Chitapa (Music) – Based in the UK
- Wiina Musamati (Theatre) – Based in the UK
- Ernest Ndlovu (Film and Television Actor) – South Africa
- Masimba Hwati (Visual Artist) – Based in Poland
- People’s Choice Award
- Nkosilathi Sibiya aka Voltz JT
- Dorcas Moyo
- Theophilus Chigumira aka Mai Kirifodhi
- Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky D
- Hillary Marufu aka Master H
The NACZ extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the nominees. A NAMA nomination is a testament to an artist’s hard work, dedication, and contribution to Zimbabwe’s vibrant arts landscape. Let us continue to support and celebrate the arts as they evolve and inspire across generations.
