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Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent 

EXQ walked away the biggest winner at the National Arts Merit Awards with two gongs while radio personality/comedian Babongile Sikhonjwa, actress Qeqeshiwe Mntambo, Vusa Blaqs and poet Likhwa Ncube had one award each. 

The awards ceremony was held in Harare under the theme: ‘African Royalty’. 

The event also paid tribute to departed artistes, among them multi-award winners – writer Charles Mungoshi and national hero Oliver Mtukudzi, who died early this year.

ExQ was adjudged to be the Outstanding Male and also clinched the Outstanding Album gong during the ceremony.

Sikhonjwa was adjudged the Outstanding Journalist for Radio while Qeqe walked away with the Outstanding Actress in Theatre award for her role as Pinky in The Hostel.

Outstanding Song, which was really a competition between Zimdancehall artistes, went to Enzo Ishall for his song Kanjiva, beating the highly fancied Sweetie (Shinga Muroora) by Jah Signal.

The Outstanding Female award went to gospel musician Janet Manyowa, the Zadzisa hit maker.

A very big surprise for many, but not for those who follow listenership on radio stations such as Radio Zimbabwe and National FM, was gospel musician Mai Patai who won the People’s Choice Award. She made light work of the likes of Winky D and Seh Calaz.

In the Outstanding Music video category, renowned videographer Vusa Blaqs came up tops for producing Jah Prayzah’s Dzamutsana music video. The scenic music video got rave reviews for its rural traditional setting that brought out the rich cultural diversity Zimbabwe possesses in all corners of the country. 

Below is the full list of winners. 

1. SPOKEN WORD AWARDS

Outstanding Poet

Likhwa Ncube – aka Likhwa okaNcube

Special Mention

Tanaka Tshuma aka ECTS

Outstanding Comedian

Learnmore Mwanyenyeka – aka Long John 

2. LITERARY ARTS AWARDS

Outstanding First Creative Published Book

Gather the Children by Batsirai Chigama [Ntombekhaya Poetry] 

Outstanding Children’s Book

The City Girl by Elisha July and Tendai K. Rudanda [Pass-Point Publishers] 

Outstanding Fiction

Mazai Emheni by Daniel Mutendi [DanTs Media Publishing]

3. THEATRE AWARDS

Outstanding Actor 

Teddy Mangawa in Ukama 

Outstanding Actress

Qeqeshiwe Mtambo in The Hostel 

Outstanding Theatrical Production

Ukama by Savanna Trust 

Outstanding Director

Lloyd Nyikadzino for Zandezi 

4. DANCE AWARDS

Outstanding Female Dancer

Vein N. Alfazema in Black Sheep

Outstanding Male Dancer

Martin Chabuka in 100% Afro 

Outstanding Dance Group

Real Flex Dance Group directed by Martin Chabuka 

Outstanding Choreographer

Macintosh Jerahuni & Chaleen Chimara – Iwe Neni Tinebasa 

5. VISUAL ARTS AWARDS

Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work

The Demolition by John Kotze 

Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work

Zvirimudombo by Shelton Mubayi

Outstanding Mix Media Work

The Watchman and the Fence I by Greg Shaw 

Outstanding Exhibition

The Grotesque by Alan Sibanda & Talent Kapadza

6. FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS

Outstanding Actor

Eddie Sandifolo as Clive in Bhachi 

Special Mention

Admire Kuzhangaira – in Death and Other Complications

Outstanding Actress

Tendaishe Chitima as Anesu in Cook Off 

Outstanding Music Video

Dzamutsana produced by Vusa Hlatshayo ft. Jah Prayzah

Outstanding Screen Production (Television Series)

Kuchina The Genesis directed by Blessing Gatsi

Special Mention

Gaza directed by Ben Mahaka

Outstanding Screen Production – Short Film

Bhachi directed by Shupai Kamunyaru

Outstanding Screen Production – Full Length Film

Cook Off directed by Thomas Brickhill

7. MEDIA AWARDS

Outstanding Journalist – Print

Fred Zindi – Standard

Outstanding Journalist – Television

Patience Nyagato – ZTV

Outstanding Journalist – Radio

Babongile Sikhonjwa – Sky Metro FM 

Outstanding Online Media

Capitalk

8. MUSIC AWARDS

Outstanding Female Musician

Janet Manyowa 

Outstanding Male Musician

Enoch Munhenga aka ExQ – Winner

Outstanding Album

Tseu Tseu by Enock Munhenga aka ExQ 

Outstanding Song

Kanjiva by Stephen K. Mamhere aka Enzo Ishal

9. SPECIAL AWARDS

Artist in the Diaspora

Danai J. Gurira

Outstanding Promoter 

Unplugged

Viewers Choice Award

Mai Patai – Winner

Arts Personality Award

Mokoomba

Arts Service Award

The Standard Newspaper

Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr Charles Mungoshi