The 24th edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMAs) were held Saturday, 28 February at HICC, in a ceremony that brought together the who's who in Zimbabwean arts.
Themed "Fearless Creativity," it was the first edition of 3 under the management of Scarlet Studios and Events Evolution.
Hosted by KVG and Pathisani, with a helping hand from Yahya Goodvibes and Merciless, the awards featured unforgettable performances from stars of the moment and legends of the past.
There was an unforgettable Zim hip hop medley with Sane Wav, Runna Rulez, Young Gemini, Bling4 and Ba Shupi, a beautiful urban grooves interlude with Plaxedes Wenyika, Alexio Kawara, and Dino Mudondo, and a Zim dancehall moment with Jnr Spragga, Shone and Madedido.
The visual arts awards celebrated cultural representation, with Sabina Mutsvati taking Outstanding Female Visual Artist for Ndishongoreiwo, and Pardon Mapondera receiving Outstanding Male Visual Artist for Dotipaiwo Mwenje.
The AI video for Winky D's "Fake Love" by Jusa Dementor took home Outstanding Video, with the Gafa himself winning a record setting 10th People's Choice Award. Jah Prayzah also won a record setting 5th Outstanding Album Award, in addition to winning Outstanding Male Musician. Atenda Chinx beat out Jnr Spragga to the Outstanding Breakthrough Artist Award, while Ollah 7 won the debut Outstanding Podcast honour, and Tokoloshi took the Outstanding Social Media Skits Award over Comic Elder.
Nisha Ts provided the night with its most poignant moment as the singer received her first ever NAMA award with her grandmother next to her, while film legend Stephen Chigorimbo, whose work includes productions like Cry Freedom, Mandela, King Solomon's Mines, Studio 263, Estate Blues and Neria, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Here is the full list of award winners:
VISUAL ARTS
Outstanding Female Visual Artist
Sabina Mutsvati - Ndishonongoreyiwo
Outstanding Male Visual Artist
Pardon Mapondera - Dotipaiwo Mwenje
Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist
Tadiwanashe Joel Mafuta - Dismas
Outstanding Exhibition
Cheuka Harare Art Fair curated by Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe
THEATRE AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
Cadrick Msongelwa as Squealer/Storyteller/Mr Jones in Zi Animal Farm
Outstanding Actress
Thandolwenkosi Nkiwane as Multi-Characters in Ipi Ntombi
Outstanding Theatrical Production
In Search Of A King by Celebration Church
Outstanding Director
Leonard Matsa - Can We Talk?
Outstanding Playwright
Tatenda Mutyambizi - These Humans Are Sick
LITERARY AWARDS
Outstanding Fiction Book
My Affair with Misfortune by Sipho Mpofu, published by Elane Publishing Consultancy
Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
Gonan'ombe Retsika Nemarairo eChivanhu by Morden Tavarwisa, published by Miamuty
Outstanding Children's Book
Mukanyawashe's Big Adventure by Gerald Shorayi, published by Essential Books Publishing Company
Outstanding First Published Work
The Killer Pastor by Entourade Usayi, published by Soar Publishers
FILM & TELEVISION AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
Leroy Siyafa as James in God Sleeps on Sundays
Outstanding Actress
Charity Dlodlo as Maria in Forget Me Not
Outstanding Music Video
"Fake Love" by Winky D, directed by Jusa Dementor
Outstanding Screen Production (TV)
Magweja by Dexter Fundire
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)
God Sleeps on Sundays by Naishe Nyambuya
Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length)
Dilemma by Joe Njagu
DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Dance Group/Production
Diamond Girls in Unseen Stars
Outstanding Female Dancer
Celine Madziva in Celine's Work
Outstanding Male Dancer
Prince Mbisa in The Rise of Amazing Prince
Outstanding Choreographer
Tanaka Machikicho in Diamond Girls
SPOKEN WORD AWARDS
Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian
Nigel Tha Slick Pastor
Outstanding Poet
Sithandazile Dube
MUSIC AWARDS
Outstanding Female Musician
Nisha Ts
Outstanding Male Musician
Jah Prayzah
Outstanding Breakthrough Musician
Atenda Chinx
Outstanding Music Group
Joyful Praise
Outstanding Song
"Too Much" by Nutty O
Outstanding Album
Ndini Mukudzeyi by Jah Prayzah
FASHION AWARDS
Outstanding Male Designer
Ishmael Tsakatsa - Zargue'sia
Outstanding Female Designer
Danayi Madondo - Haus Of Stone
Outstanding Contributor To The Fashion Industry
Joyce Chimanye
DIGITAL ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding Female Social Media Content Creator
Pot Tradition
Outstanding Male Social Media Content Creator
The African Finder
Outstanding Podcast
The Ollah 7 Podcast
Outstanding Social Media Skits
Tokoloshi
SPECIAL AWARDS
Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora
Nitefreak
Outstanding Arts Journalist
Plot Mhako
Promoter of the Year
Odyssey Entertainment
Arts Personality Of The Year
Nkululeko Dube
Arts Service Award
Delta Beverages - Chibuku
Lifetime Achievement Award
Stephen Chigorimbo
People's Choice Award
Winky D