2023 NAMA NOMINEES LIST
The National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) nominees list was released on Tuesday.
A total of 1266 entries were received and these comprised 897 physical entries and 394 online entries at the close of the nomination period.
The Literary category and the highest number of entries with 277 entries, followed by Film and Television category with 267 submissions, Visual Art category (252), Music category (232), Theatre/Drama category (76), Dance category (66), Spoken Word category (45), Media category (26) and Diaspora category (25). These entries came from all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe with the highest number coming from Harare Province.
In a statement chairperson of then NAMA adjudicators Hope Masike said, “I would like to assure you that all entries submitted through all NAMA collection points were received and reviewed.
“The teams of adjudicators went through a rigorous process of shortlisting entries for final consideration by the
panel of judges. The quality of the submitted work was very varied in certain categories, whilst in others, competition was excitingly stiff.
“All work submitted from the different provinces went through the same adjudication process.”
2023 NAMA NOMINEES FULL LIST
1. DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Female Dancer
- Praise Dube in Ngomdladla the dunamis
- Ndomupeishe Chipendo in Teleunga
- Lesley Mushaninga in Silently Complicated
Outstanding Male Dancer
- Terrence Kapesa in A Kid from Bulawayo
- Sean Mambwere in Silently complicated
- Devante Sangaza in A Champion’s year
Outstanding Dance Group
- Khaya Arts in Ngomdladla the Dunamis
- Salt and Light in A Kid from Bulawayo
- Elysium Magna Dance Theatre in The Birth of Christ
Outstanding Dance Choreographer
- Future Dube in Ngomdladla the Dunamis
- Sean Mambwere in Silently Complicated
- Hillary Indi in The Birth of Christ
2. VISUAL ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work
- Working Together by Bernard Sakarombe
- Celebrating Together by Taurai Chinofura
- Life is a Journey by Charles Manyaura
- Reflection by Strive Matimura
Outstanding Mixed Media
- Looking Behind the Pot by Keith Zenda
- Mysterical Revealer by Terrence Musekiwa
- A Long Way 2 by Justin Gope
Outstanding Exhibition
- Bold and Beautiful by Keith Zenda curated by Philip Butler & Keith Zenda
- A Book that Cannot be Read by Allison Baker curated by Fadzai Muchemwa
- Roots and Routes by Tamari & Natasha Kudita curated by Doreen Sibanda
3. SPOKEN WORD AWARDS
Outstanding Poet
- Sithembile Siqoza
- Obert Dube
- Prince Ryanne Chidzvondo
- Ngoni Paradza aka Mambo Guramatunhu
Outstanding Comedian
- King Kandoro
- Andrew Manyika
- Tanyaradzwa Sena
Outstanding Social Media Skits
- Admire Mushambi aka Mama Vee
- Kudzanai Chengedza aka Mbuya vaPiyasoni
- Theophilus Chigumira aka Mai Kirifodhi
4. MEDIA AWARDS
Outstanding Journalist – Print
- Khumbulani Muleya – The Standard
- Nyadzombe Nyampenza – The Standard
- Tafadzwa Zimoyo – The Herald
Outstanding Journalist – Radio
- Owen Madondo – Star FM
- Anesu Masamvu – ZiFM
- Yvonne Tivatye – Star FM
Outstanding Journalist – Television
- Candice Mwakalyalya – ZTN
- Colette Musanyera – ZBC
- Takudzwa Chihambakwe – ZTN
Outstanding – Online Media
- Nash TV
- Bustop TV
- Earground
5. THEATRE AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
- Shaun Mundawarara as Cullingwall in The Play that goes Wrong
- Musa Saruro as Charles in The Play that goes Wrong
- Ishmael Muvingi as King Lobengula in Bayethe Nkosi
Outstanding Actress
- Caroline Yule as Mrs Perkins in The Play that goes Wrong
- Min’enhle Mguni as Renee Stokes in Heartbreak Mafia
- Sandra Mpofu as Maimbodeyi in Maimbodeyi
Outstanding Theatrical Production
- Heartbreak Mafia by Reps Theatre
- The play that goes wrong by Reps Theatre
- Bayethe Nkosi by Umkhathi Theatre
Outstanding Director
- Matesu Dube in Bayethe Nkosi
- AneUnhu Gwatidzo in Heartbreak Mafia
- Sue Bolt in The Play that Goes Wrong
6. LITERARY AWARDS
Outstanding First Creative Published Work
- The Madman on First Street and other stories by David Chasumba
- 3.15am and other stories by Rudo D.M Manyere
- Monomotapa by Tawanda Vomo
Outstanding Children’s Book
- When the Sun Sets by Nqobizwe Malinga
- Let’s enjoy Village Tales with Mbuya maDishi by Valentine N.Nyagweta
- Sloba and the Chameleonaire by Costa Chayambuka
Outstanding Fiction Book
- The Quality of Mercy by Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu
- Intwasa Short Stories Vol. 2 edited by Raisedon Baya
- Chapwati by Ignatius C. Musonza
Outstanding Poetry Book
- Starfish Blossoms by Samantha R. Vazhure
- Ichibi Lezinkondlo by Obert Dube
- I know why the Heart Sings by Patience Chiyangwa
7. FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
- Searchmore Takavada as Husband in 3 days in March
- Shaun Mundawarara as Jay in Just say Hello
- Farai Chigudu as Toro in Ngoda
Outstanding Actress
- Charity Mahowa-Matavo as Tete Rhoda in Viva Wenera
- Sylvia Mavezera as Wife in 3 days in March
- Chiedza Mhende as Sonja in Just say Hello
Outstanding Music Video
- Changes in time (Mvura Yanaya) by Evicted, Directed by Vusa Hlatshwayo
- Kamoto by Mwenje Mathole, Directed by Jonathana Samkange
- Fight For Me by Mann Friday, Directed by Kalai Faye Barlow
- Huya Tinamate by Gemma Griffith ft Enzo Ishall, Directed by Kyle Brown
Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
- Intab’enkulu Directed by Kuda Brian Bwititi
- Viva Wenera Directed by Eddy Ndlovu
- Tangled Directed by Shem Zemura
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Length Film)
- 3 Days in March Directed by Kuda Brian Bwititi
- Konflict Directed by Sydney Taivavashe
- A Stitch in Tim Directed by William Nyandoro and Raisedon Baya
Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length Film)
- Ngoda Directed by Joe Njagu and Eddie Sandifolo
- Just say Hello Directed by Invision Studios
- Benignity Directed by Tinashe Mombeshora
8. MUSIC AWARDS
- Outstanding Newcomer
- Tavonga Leo Magombedze (Leo Magozz), Farai Gadzani (Bling 4) and Brian Kadyamarunga (Brian Jeck)
- Silas Mavende aka Saint Floew
- Andrea Sibanda aka Andrea The Vocalist
Outstanding Female Musician
- Feli Nandi
- Dorcas Moyo
- Sandra Ndebele
Outstanding Male Musician
- Mark Ngwazi
- Braveman Chizvino Mawanza aka Baba Harare
- Energy Silvester Chizanga aka Freeman
Outstanding Song
- Tirikutandarara by Dorcas Moyo
- Fire Emoji by Tavonga Leo Magombedze (Leo Magozz), FaraiGadzani (Bling 4) and Brian Kadyamarunga (Brian Jeck)
- Zimbabwean Queen by Energy Silvester Chizanga (Freeman) and Chris Martin
Outstanding Album
- Zimbabwean Giant by Braveman Chizvino Mawanza aka Baba Harare
- David and Goliath by Energy Silvester Chizanga aka Freeman
- Nharo Nezvine Nharo by Mark Ngwazi
9. SPECIAL AWARDS
Promoter Of the Year
- Matabeleland Natural Resources Management
- X-Mo Squad
- 2 Kings Entertaiment
- Chipaz Promotion
Outstanding Artist In The Diaspora
- Tanaka Fireyi – China
- Charmaine Shamiso Mapimbiro aka Shasha – South Africa
- Tafara Nyatsanza – USA
- Sibongile Mlambo – USA
