By Brighton Ncube-My Bulawayo News Reporter
The National Art Merit Award (NAMA)is the premier award given by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ)in recognition of outstanding achievements in the arts and culture. The inaugural NAMA was held in February 2002 honouring artists who excelled in 2001.
Since then, NAMA award ceremonies have been held in February of each year to recognise artists who would have excelled in the previous.In a night of Glamour and beauty held in Harare on Saturday saw individuals in the Arts industry coming together to celebrate the life in ARTs. From the red carpert to the main arena it was all glitz and glamour as the who is who in the Art industry of Zimbabwe showcased their beautiful outfits and their sense of fashion. The event was hosted by the famous comedian /MC Carl Joshua Ncube who made many laugh throughout the night.
HERE ARE SOME WINNERS FOR THE 2017 NATIONAL ART AND MERIT AWARD
1. THEATRE AWARDS
Outstanding Actor – Everson Ndlovu in Liberation
Outstanding Actress – Rumbidzai Karize in Liberation
Outstanding Theatrical Production – Liberation by Savanna Trust
Outstanding Director – Matesu Dube for the Warrior
2. SPOKEN WORD AWARDS
Outstanding Poet – Tinashe Tafirenyika
Outstanding Comedian – Nqobizitha Dube
3. LITERARY ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding First Creative Published Works
Behind the Wall Everywhere by Farai
Mungoshi (Mungoshi Press)
Outstanding Children’s Book – The Unwelcome Visitor by Farai Nyandoro [Jomo Kenyatta Foundation ]
Outstanding Fiction – Whose Land is it Anyway by Benjamin S. Sibanda
4. VISUAL ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work – Gumbeze Renherera by Anthony Bumhira
Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work – Washing Hair by Edson Kangadza
Outstanding Mix Media Work – Mhodzi
Dzemusango by Semina Mpofu
Outstanding Exhibition – Woman by Miriro
Mwandiyambira at First Floor Gallery
5. DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Female Dancer – Christina Jenkins in Ghost
Outstanding Male Dancer – Stephanie Thomas in Phantom
Outstanding Dance Group – Breakthrough
Productions
Outstanding Choreographer – Timikha
Fisher – Listen
6. FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS
Outstanding Actress – Jesesi Mungoshi in Muzita Rababa
Outstanding Actor – Anthony Tongani in Conflicts
Outstanding Music Video – Zino Irema (Ndirikukuwonai Zvangu) by Andy Cutta Sobhuza ft. Takura
Outstanding Screen Production (TV) – The Arthur C Evans Show directed by Trey Ncube on Zambezimagic
Outstanding Screen Production – Short Film – Seiko directed by Sydney Taivavashe
Outstanding Screen Production – Full Length Film – Muzita rababa directed by Nick Zemura
7. MEDIA AWARDS
Outstanding Journalist -Print – TinasheMuchuri News Day
Outstanding Journalist – Radio – Tawanda Gudhlanga – Sport FM
Outstanding Journalist – TV – Andrew Neshamba – ZBC
Outstanding Online Media – Zimbuzz
8. MUSIC AWARDS
Outstanding Female Musician – Ammara Brown
Outstanding Male Musician – Mukudzei Mukombe known as Jah Prayzah
Outstanding Album – Gafa Futi by WallaceChirimuko known as Winky D
Outstanding Song – Mdhara Vachauya by Mukudzei Mukombe popular known as Jah Prayzah
9. SPECIAL AWARDS
Outstanding Promoter – 2 Kings Entertainment
Peoples Choice Awards – Winky D
