NAMA 2026 Nominees
The full list of nominees for the 24th National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) has been released, setting the stage for one of the biggest nights in Zimbabwean arts and culture at the end of the month.
The awards ceremony, organised by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, will take place on 28 February 2026 at the HICC in Harare, under the theme “Fearless Creativity”.
This year’s nominees were drawn from 1,117 submissions covering work produced between 1 December 2024 and 30 November 2025, reflecting a busy year for creatives across Zimbabwe in disciplines ranging from visual arts and literature to music, fashion and digital content.
The list features a mix of emerging talent and established names, including stars such as Jah Prayzah, Winky D and Freeman HKD, whose nominations are expected to fuel renewed debate over dominance in Zimbabwean popular music.
Below is the full list of NAMA 2026 nominees.
NAMA 2026 Nominees Full List
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) – Sabina Mutsvati, curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa
Perfection Is Not Always Reality (Solo Exhibition) – Tinotenda Chivhinge, curated by Doris Kamupira
CHEUKA Harare Art Fair – curated by Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe
2. Theatre Awards
Outstanding Actor
Cadrick Msongelwa – Squealer/Storyteller/Mr Jones in Zi Animal Farm
Elroy Takunda Musiiwa – Benjamin/Storyteller One in Zi Animal Farm
Ronald Sigeca – Prophet in These Humans Are Sick
Outstanding Actress
Chidochashe Joanne Tenga – Bope in Can We Talk?
Tsungirirai Chenjerai – Snowball/Clover/Storyteller in Zi Animal Farm
Thandolwenkosi Nkiwane – Multi-characters in Ipi Ntombi
Outstanding Theatrical Production
In Search of a King – Celebration Church
Can We Talk – Almasi Collaborative Arts
Zi Animal Farm – 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 – Polite Sibanda (Pre-dawn Publishers)
My Affair with Misfortune – Sipho Mpofu (Elane Publishing Consultancy)
The Toppling – Cynthia Rumbidzai Marangwanda (Carnelian Heart Publishing Ltd)
Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
Gonan’ombe Retsika Namararamiro eChivanhu – Morden Tavarwisa (Miamuty)
Kurasika MuAfurika – Rumbidzai Caroline Kahari (Essential Books Publishing Company)
The Essentials to Faithful Living – Michael H. Nyahwera (Beyond Today)
Outstanding Children’s Book
Mukanyawashe’s Big Adventure – Gerald Shorayi (Essential Books Publishing Company)
The Adventures of Dafi and Rize – Wadzanai Tadhuvana (Kunda Kids Publishers)
The Old River Woman – Shakemore Dirani (Essential Books Publishing Company)
Special Mention
The Exciting Story of Chipo the Bird – Jean Taanashe Botso (Essential Books Publishing Company)
Munashe the Clever Boy – Rigel Chabata (Essential Books Publishing Company)
Outstanding First Published Work
Hanzi Huchi Hwenduri – Kubva Mukatikati – Ushehwedu Kufakurinani (Carnelian Heart Publishing Limited)
The Killer Pastor – Entourade Usayi (Soar Publishers)
Zvamuri Ndaimbova Zvandiri Muchava – Josiah Muchada (Sahara Publishers)
4. Film & Television Awards
Outstanding Actor
Calvin Madula – Stan “SK” Khumalo in High School Diaries
Charles Kamara – Mike in Nhai Maiguru
Leroy Siyafa – James in God Sleeps on Sundays
Outstanding Actress
Wizzy Mangoma – Chirongoma in God Sleeps on Sundays
Charity Dlodlo – Maria in Forget Me Not
Natasha Dlamini – Beauty in Totem
Outstanding Music Video
Kuno – Jah Prayzah (Directed by Vusa Hlatshwayo aka Director Blaqs and Davis Hanzu aka Director Dave)
Fake Love – Winky D (Directed by Tawanda Sibotshiwe aka Jusa Dementor)
Nguva NdeyaMwari – Dorcas Moyo (Directed by Hastings Chiromo aka Mr Hasty)
Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
High School Diaries – John Mabuyane
Magweja – Dexter Fundire
Love Across the Ocean – Willy Makumire Lilly
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)
A Future Untold – Prosper Kunyetu
God Sleeps on Sundays – Naishe Nyamubaya
Totem – Nicole Panashe Dzenga
Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length)
Loved Out – Tendai Nyeke
Dilemma – Joe Njagu
Mwana Wangu – Nakai Beauty Tsuro
5. Dance Awards
Outstanding Dance Group / Production
Salt ‘n’ Light Dance Company – Still Salty
Diamond Girls – Unseen Stars
MnM Dance Factory – African Sunrise
Outstanding Female Dancer
Mandisa Maseko aka Storm ZW – The Crown Project
Celine Madziva – Celine’s Work
Lisa Tanaka Magwenzi aka Lissa Tanaka – Lissa Tanaka
Outstanding Male Dancer
Prince Mbisa aka Amazing Prince – The Rise of Amazing Prince
Lawrence Sirewo aka Flexxy Smith – Big Brother Mzansi
Shadreck Moyo aka Shaddy Stiffler – The Cowboys
Outstanding Choreographer
Tanaka Machikicho – Diamond Girls
Celine Madzivai – Celine
Terrence Kapesa – 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 – Mukudzeyi Mukombe aka Jah Prayzah
Admire Kadembo – Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa aka Nisha Ts
Too Much – Carrington S. Chiwadza aka Nutty O
Outstanding Album
The Notebook – Emegy Chizanga aka Freeman HKD
Ndini Mukudzeyi – Mukudzeyi Mukombe aka Jah Prayzah
The Woman King – Gender iih – 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 (Sweden)
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
