By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Zimbabwe’s contemporary music powerhouse Wallace Chirumiko — better known as Winky D — has dominated the People’s Choice Award category for years. And once again, he finds himself nominated for the coveted honour.
This year, he faces stiff competition from notable crowd favourites including Principal Chigwida (Prince Chigwida), Leroy T. Zaware (Comic Elder), Mukudzeyi Mukombe (Jah Prayzah), and socialite Michelle Moyo (Ritz Mcleish).
While questions linger over how Winky D continues to rule the roost, one thing is certain: the People’s Choice Award is decided purely by popularity votes. That formula has consistently worked in his favour, with his loyal fan base rallying behind him year after year.
Will Winky D make history with yet another win, or could this be the year a new name claims the spotlight? The stage is set for an intriguing showdown.
NATIONAL ARTS MERIT AWARDS (NAMA) 24TH EDITION NOMINEES
1. Visual Arts
Outstanding Female Visual Artist
Amanda Shingirai Mushate – Chimoro neHukoshwa Part 1
Sabina Mutsvati – Ndishonongoreiwo
Shamila Aasha – Healing Alchemy
Outstanding Male Visual Artist
Confidence Zinyeka – Intimate conversation
Pardon Mapondera – Dotipaiwo Mwenje
Tinotenda Chivhinge – Nonsense Hit Song
Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist
Claire Munjoma – Shanduko
Tadiwanashe Joel Mafuta – Dismas
Crystal Vimbainashe Beseni – Maps of everything
Outstanding Exhibition
Ndishonongoreyiwo (Solo Exhibition) by Sabina Mutsvati, Curated by Fadzai
Veronica Muchemwa
Perfection is not always reality (Solo Exhibition) by Tinotenda Chivhinge, curated by
Doris Kamupira
CHEUKA Harare Art Fair curated by Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe
2. Theatre Awards
Outstanding Actor
Cadrick Msongelwa as Squealer/StoryTeller/Mr. Jones in Zi Animal Farm
Elroy Takunda Musiiwa as Benjamin/Storyteller One in Zi Animal Farm
Ronald Sigeca as Prophet in These Humans are Sick
Outstanding Actress
Chidochashe Joanne Tenga as Bope in Can We Talk?
Tsungirirai Chenjerai as Snowball/Clover/Storyteller in Zi Animal Farm
Thandolwenkosi Nkiwane as Multi-characters in Ipi Ntombi
Outstanding Theatrical Production
In search of a king by Celebration Church
Can we talk by Almasi Collaborative Arts
Zi Animal farm by Savanna Trust
Outstanding Director
Daniel Dueschle – In search of a king
Leonard Matsa – Can We Talk?
Sandra Braddock – Ipi Ntombi
Outstanding Playwright
Tatenda Mutyambizi – These Humans Are Sick
Batsirai Chigama – Can We Talk?
3. Literary Awards
Outstanding Fiction Book
Iluba lika ntunjambila by Polite Sibanda Published by Pre-dawn Publishers
My Affair with Misfortune by Sipho Mpofu Published by Elane Publishing Consultancy
The Toppling by Cynthia Rumbidzai Marangwanda Published by Carnelian Heart
Publishing Ltd
Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
Gonan’ombe Retsika Namararamiro eChivanhu by Morden Tavarwisa Published by
Miamuty
Kurasika MuAfurika by Rumbidzai Caroline Kahari Published by Essential Books
Publishing Company
The Essentials to Faithful Living by Michael H. Nyahwera Published by Beyond Today
Outstanding Children’s Book
Mukanyawashe’s Big Adventure by Gerald Shorayi Published by Essential Books
Publishing Company
The adventures of Dafi and Rize by Wadzanai Tadhuvana by Kunda kids Publishers
The old river woman by Shakemore Dirani Published by Essential Books Publishing
company
Special Mention:
The exciting story of Chipo the bird by Jean Taanashe Botso Published by Essential
Books Publishing Company
Munashe The Clever Boy by Rigel Chabata Published by Essential Books Publishing
Company
Outstanding First Published Work
Hanzi Huchi Hwenduri – Kubva Mukatikati by Ushehwedu Kufakurinani Published by
Carnelian Heart Publishing Limited
The Killer Pastor by Entourade Usayi Published by Soar Publishers
Zvamuri Ndaimbova Zvandiri Muchava by Josiah Muchada Published by Sahara
Publishers
4. Film & Television Awards
Outstanding Actor
Calvin Madula as Stan “SK” Khumalo in High School Diaries
Charles Kamara as Mike in Nhai Maiguru
Leroy Siyafa as James in God Sleeps on Sundays
Outstanding Actress
Wizzy Mangoma as Chirongoma in God Sleeps on Sundays
Charity Dlodlo as Maria in Forget Me Not
Natasha Dlamini as Beauty in Totem
Outstanding Music Video
Kuno by Jah Prayzah Directed by Vusa Hlatshwayo aka Director Blaqs and Davis Hanzu aka
Director Dave
Fake Love by Winky D Directed by Tawanda Sibotshiwe aka Jusa Dementor
Nguva NdeyaMwari by Dorcas Moyo Directed by Hastings Chiromo aka Mr. Hasty
Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
High School Diaries by John Mabuyane
Magweja by Dexter Fundire
Love Across the Ocean by Willy Makumire Lilly
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)
A Future Untold by Prosper Kunyetu
God Sleeps on Sundays by Naishe Nyamubaya
Totem by Nicole Panashe Dzenga
Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length)
Loved Out by Tendai Nyeke
Dilemma by Joe Njagu
Mwana Wangu by Nakai Beauty Tsuro
5. Dance Awards
Outstanding Dance Group/Production
Salt ‘n’ Light Dance Company in Still Salty
Diamond Girls in Unseen Stars
MnM Dance Factory in African Sunrise
Outstanding Female Dancer
Mandisa Maseko aka Storm zw in The Crown Project
Celine Madziva in Celine’s work
Lisa Tanaka Magwenzi aka Lissa Tanaka in Lissa Tanaka
Outstanding Male Dancer
Prince Mbisa aka Amazing Prince in The Rise of Amazing Prince
Lawrence Sirewo aka Flexxy Smith in Big Brother Mzansi
Shadreck Moyo aka Shaddy Stiffler in The Cowboys
Outstanding Choreographer
Tanaka Machikicho in Diamond Girls
Celine Madzivai in Celine
Terrence Kapesa in Salt & Light Dance Company
6. Spoken Word Awards
Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian
Frank Chirisa
Mbongeni Ignatious
Nigel Maritinyu aka Nijo the Slick Pastor
Outstanding Poet
Obert Dube
Sithandazile Dube
Thaluso Moyo aka Thaluso the Poet
7. Music Awards
Outstanding Female Musician
Sharon Manyonganise Cherayi
Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa aka Nisha Ts
Ashleigh Angel Moyo aka Shashl
Outstanding Male Musician
Michael Mahendere aka Minister Michael Mahendere
Emegy Chizanga aka Freeman HKD
Mukudzeyi Mukombe aka Jah Prayzah
Outstanding Breakthrough Musician
Nyasha Emmanuel Dedza aka Junior Spragga
Atenda Chingaira aka Atenda Chinx
Shone Qongo aka Shone
Outstanding Music Group
The Redeemed Family
VeRutendo
Joyful Praise
Outstanding Song
Ruzhowa by Mukudzeyi Mukombe aka Jah Prayzah
Admire Kadembo by Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa aka Nisha Ts
Too Much by Carrington S. Chiwadza aka Nutty O
Outstanding Album
The Notebook by Emegy Chizanga aka Freeman HKD
Ndini Mukudzeyi by Mukudzeyi Mukombe aka Jah Prayzah
The Woman King – Gender iih by Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa aka Nisha Ts
8. Fashion Awards
Outstanding Male Designer
Rangarirai Kenias – Raengah
Brightman Dlamini – Tocar Narrations
Ishmael Tsakatsa – Zargue’sia
Outstanding Female Fashion Designer
Nomakhosazana Khanyile Ncube – A Tribe Called Zimbabwe
Danayi Madondo – Haus of Stone
Yolanda Ngwenya – Bakhar
Outstanding Contributor to the Fashion Industry
Amanda Mutangadura – AM Model Management
Priscilla Chigariro – Zimbabwe Fashion Week
Joyce Chimanye – ZUVVA
9. Digital Arts Awards
Outstanding Female Social Media Content Creator
Blessing Nashe – Nashe the Plug
Gracia Bvute – Pot Tradition
Tariro Sarudzai Mharapara – Butterphly
Outstanding Male Social Media Content Creator
Marvellous Ngongoro – African Finder
Kelvin Biriot
Prince Sivalo Mahlangu – Magriza Made me cook
Outstanding Podcast
Zigo Podcast
Pass and Move Podcast
The Ollah 7 Podcast
Outstanding Social Media Skits
Leroy T. Zaware aka Comic Elder
Sean Khoza aka Code Red Studios – Tokoloshi
Ronald Chimombe aka Thugga Thugga
10. Special Awards
Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora
Bhekinkosi Mabhena aka DJ Nitefreak– Music Producer/DJ – France & Spain
Luckson Chikutu aka Manluckerz – Musician – USA
Chrispen Nyathi- Film Actor – South Africa
Promoter of the Year
Stratosphere Events (Fiesta Fiesta Zimbabwe) Owned by Charles Ayisa
Odyssey Entertainment (Kadoma Music Festival) Owned by Prince Mharadze
Ngoma Nehosho (Jacaranda Music Festival) Owned by Walter Wanyanya
People’s Choice Award
Principal Chigwida aka Prince Chigwida
Leroy T. Zaware aka Comic Elder
Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky D
Mukudzeyi Mukombe aka Jah Prayzah
Michelle Moyo aka Ritz Mcleish
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