By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
The 20th edition of the National Arts Merit Awards or the NAMAs ended with a show stopping act by Zim dancehall award winner — Nutty O and R&B star Nyasha David.
The youthful musicians performed a medley with Nyasha David making a grand entrance on stage riding a bike like a rock star that he is.
He raved and raved up the bike to wild applause from the audiences as he grabbed the mic from a brunet who waited for him on a staircase before bursting into song and dance.
The high raves sent the auditorium into a frenzy! The choreography was catchy and on point.
It was not long before Nyasha David exited the stage paving the way for Nutty O who stole the show on the night by winning two awards — Outstanding Album for Mustard Seed and Outstanding Male Artiste gong.
Nutty O aka ABX as his fans call him, performed his club banger — Handipere Power —- and sent the auditorium into a delirium.
Wearing a purple outfit and accompanied by dancers on stage, his performance was nothing short of electric.
The performance capped what was already a star-studded event at the majestic Harare International Conference Centre.
Despite perennial glitches of dim lights, late start and small stage with not enough space to swing a cat, the event continues to draw attendance from a cross section of the society from socialites, fashionistas, trendsetters, rock stars, businesspeople to even weird dos.
It was lights, camera and action on the red carpet which was ably hosted by Danny That Guy, Phil Chard and also Spanchi.
Last weekend you could have been anywhere in the capital but those that turned up at the NAMAs had a whale of a time.
Host of the show Leeroy Gopal oozed cool confidence and his fluent English made his presentation all the more enjoyable.
The NAMAs 2022, hash tagged Amalevels was a celebration of all things arts, culture and success.
The winners are as follows:
- DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Female Dancer
Lorin Sibanda in Footprints
Outstanding Male Dancer
Devante Sanganza in My Passion for dance
Outstanding Dance Choreographer
John Cole in Loyal
Outstanding Dance Group
Umkhathi Theatre in Footprints
- VISUAL ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work
Domination by Joseph Nyakwenga
Outstanding 3 Dimensional
Nhumbu by Tatenda Gwarada
Outstanding Mixed Media
Do not destroy us by Rickson Zavare
- SPOKEN WORD AWARDS
Outstanding Poet
Obert Dube
Outstanding Comedian
Hidden Sibanda aka Mdawini
Distinct Social Media Skits
Tarisai Cleopatra Chikocho aka Madam Boss
- MEDIA AWARDS
Outstanding Journalist – Print
Sithokozile Sibanda – Ilanga
Outstanding Journalist – Radio
Rumbidzayi Mugwira aka Chamvary – Power FM
Outstanding Journalist – Television
Barney Mpariwa – ZBC
Outstanding – Online Media
Amazing Voices – Nonkululeko Dube aka Amard
- THEATRE AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
Cadrick Musongwelwa in Deathbed
Outstanding Actress
Rumbidzai Karize in Deathbed
Outstanding Theatrical Production
How are you really? by Vaviri Creative
Outstanding Director
Elizabeth Zaza Muchemwa in How are you really?
- LITERARY AWARDS
Outstanding First Creative Published Work
Bringing us back by Mercy Dhliwayo [Vhakololo Press]
Outstanding Children’s Book
The Cursing Tortoise by Onald Gwiriri [Essential Books Publishing Company]
Outstanding Fiction Book
All comes to Dust by Bryony Rheam [amaBooks]
Outstanding Poetry Book
For women Trying to breath and failing (It’s not your fault) by Batsirai Chigama [Ntombekhaya Poetry]
- FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
Kumbilani Ncube as Jonz in Ikasi: The Hood
Outstanding Actress
Bathabile Dlamini as Blessing in Poor Cousins
Outstanding Music Video
Rainmaker Directed by Kalai Faye Barlow ft. Djembe Monks
Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
Chipo the Gift produced by Daves Guzha
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Length Film)
Ikasi: The Hood Directed by Mzingaye Ngwabi
Outstanding Screen Production(Full Length Film)
Poor Cousins Directed by Sydney Taivavashe
- MUSIC AWARDS
Outstanding New Comer
Day Tawanda Ncube aka DT Bio Mudimba
Outstanding Female Musician
Janet Manyowa
Outstanding Male Musician
Simbarashe Carrington Chiwadzwa aka Nutty O
Outstanding Song
Hello Mwari by Rodney Mashandure aka Jah Master
Outstanding Album
Mustard Seed by Simbarashe Carrington Chiwadzwa aka Nutty O
- SPECIAL AWARDS
Outstanding Artist In The Diaspora
Arnold Tongai Chirisa
Promoter Of The Year
Gateway Stream
Consistent Supporter Under Covid-19
Nash TV
Arts Service Award
National Gallery of Zimbabwe
Lifetime Achievement
Mechanic Manyeruke
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