THE annual National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) continue to split audiences with each passing edition, as they often fail to agree on the final list of winners.
Nama is the country’s premier arts awards event organised by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe in recognition of outstanding achievements in the arts and culture.
It is rare for arts enthusiasts and critics to have a general consensus on the list of nominees or ultimate winners.
This was once again the case with the just-ended 21st edition of Nama held in the capital last weekend.
Part of the crowd at Nama
But that is quite understandable.
Awards ceremonies have always been characterised by upsets and disputes across the world.
Even arts aficionados do not always get it right on who the ultimate award winners will be, not least, because of the stiff competition in the sector.
However, awards are won on merit, not reputation.
For an artiste to be considered for a Nama accolade, they first have to submit their entries for a particular category.
But it is only in categories like People’s Choice Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award that the public can influence the outcome by voting for the winner.
Submission of entries does not guarantee that one automatically becomes a nominee.
A total of 1 266 entries – some physical and others online – were received from across the country at the close of the nomination period this year.
Harare province had the highest number of entries.
“The results, overall, projected the content that was submitted by the applicants, which was not so up to standard. In the dance category, which had 66 entries, the judges observed that some of them were very substandard and lacked creativity,” said Nama chairperson Hope Masike.
“Poor picture quality and lack of pointers to identify the main subject of the submission militated against some entries. Most of the dances had the same routine, which they struggled to improve on the skills and tactics.”
While nearly all artistes in the running for an award in the 21st edition of the event deserved the recognition and praise for their hard work, some people were still left stunned when their favourite artiste failed to make it to the podium.
This was particularly the case when jester Theophilus “Mai Kirifodhi” Chigumira won the People’s Choice Award over gospel artiste Dorcas Moyo and sungura maestro Alick Macheso.
Prior to that, Chigumira had scooped the Outstanding Social Media Skits Award ahead of Admire Mushambi, better known as Mama Vee, who equally has a fair share of followers.
However, Masike noted that there was due diligence in coming up with the nominees list and eventual winners.
“I would like to assure you that all entries submitted through all Nama collection points were received and reviewed. The teams of judges went through a laborious process of shortlisting entries for final consideration by the panel of juries,” she said.
“The quality of the submitted work was very varied in certain categories, whilst in others, competition was excitingly stiff. However, all work submitted from the different provinces went through the same adjudication process.”
Running under the theme “Unlocking Dreams”, the event honoured excelling artistes in film, theatre, dance, music, literary arts and media.
This year’s edition, as has become the norm, lived up to its billing.
The red carpet, fashion and performances were on spot.
Socialite Mai TT turned heads as she easily proved to be one of the best-dressed ladies on the night.
Her bodyguards equally got people talking.
Men came swathed in suits and designer outfits that gave panache to the occasion.
People who attended the show or followed the proceedings from home on different social media platforms had fun.
Musician Gemma Griffiths, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority head of corporate affairs Godfrey “Chief” Koti and Charlene Mangweni-Furusa hosted the prestigious event.
Other notable winners included King Kandoro, who scooped the Outstanding Comedian Award; and Kuda Bryan Bwititi, who managed a double for Outstanding Screen Production (Short-Length Film) and Outstanding Screen Production (Television).
Special mention goes to Zimdancehall chanter Freeman, who scooped his first Nama in a career spanning over two decades.
Freeman won Outstanding Male Musician and Outstanding Album awards.
“I work hard. I put my all when it comes to my career; I try my best and in the process of trying, sometimes I win and sometimes I lose. I feel good about being recognised as an artiste,” he said.
“In 2020, I was nominated and I did not win. I was not disappointed then. I was actually happy and felt honoured because it was my first nomination.”
Conversely, the Zim hip-hop juggernaut continued as Tavonga Leo Magombedze, aka Leo Magozz, took home the Outstanding Song of the Year Award for his monster hit “Fire Emoji”.
Leo Magozz, Bling 4 and Brian Jeck also clinched the Outstanding Newcomer Award. – Sunday Mail
