The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) is proud to unveil the nominees for the prestigious 23rd edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA). The 23rd NAMA edition features works adjudicated between December 1, 2023, and November 30, 2024. The nomination process, which began on December 1, 2024, included both submitted entries and those identified by appointed individual and institutional monitors throughout the year. A total of 2,371 entries were received, consisting of 814 physical submissions, 1,073 online submissions, and 484 entries submitted by monitors.
The NACZ, along with the adjudicators, extends its deepest gratitude to all artists, production houses, media houses, promoters, creative stables, arts organizations, and institutions that participated in this year’s edition. Their invaluable contributions ensure the continued success and vibrancy of Zimbabwe’s arts scene. A NAMA nomination is not just an award; it is a national endorsement of creativity and excellence.
Below are the nominees for the various categories in 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
Literary Arts Awards
- Outstanding First Published Work
- Zagamo the War Within by Ray Mawerera
- Mafuta Enguruve by Trust Mutekwa
- A Father’s Agony and Other Stories by Takudzwa Chiwara
- Outstanding Children’s Book
- The Tale of Jackal and Man by Joseph Matose
- Chimbira Nedzimwe Ngano by Primrose Dzenga
- Cartoonist by Hleko Vuma
- Outstanding Fiction Book
- The Full Moon Rises at Sunset by Susan Hubert
- Weeping Tomato by Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure
- Aziwelanga Phansi by Welshman Dube
- Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
- Engage Zimbabwe: A Cultural Intelligence Handbook for Effective Diplomacy by Lovemore and Chido Kuwana
- Your Guide to Adulting by Rumbidzai Munyaradzi
- Entrepreneurial Success: Insights on Growing Business in a Fluid Economy 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
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
The NACZ celebrates the immense talent within Zimbabwe’s creative industries and looks forward to honoring these outstanding individuals and groups at the 23rd NAMA ceremony. Congratulations to all nominees! Let the power of art continue to shine brightly.