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Showbiz Reporter
THE National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), organisers of the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama), yesterday unveiled the nominees for the 18th edition whose awards ceremony has been slated for March 23 at the HICC.

Embracing new technologies, the nominees were unveiled during a Facebook Live stream on the NACZ Nama page and the list, like the nominees presentation by MisRed, was quite refreshing as it mostly has new kids on the block.

Fast-rising songbird, Tammy Moyo, gospel musician Janet Manyowa as well as Zimdancehall artistes Enzo Ishall and Jah Signal who undisputedly changed the game last year with their music, managed to outshine the likes of Jah Prayzah and Winky D by filling slots in which these two are usually nominated in — (outstanding song, outstanding album and outstanding musician categories).

Videographers, Vusa Blaqs and Andy Cutta who are both from Bulawayo and have been behind many artistes’ quality videos, proved that they are the best in the country as three of their music videos are up against each other in the outstanding video category.

Also nominated from Bulawayo are a couple of artistes who include Sandra Ndebele, Maforty, Clemence Magwaza, Jeys Marabini, Cedric Msongelwa, Ronald Sigeca, Babongile Sikhonjwa and Likhwa Ncube.

Commenting on the nominees, the chairperson of the Nama adjudication panel, Ruby Magosvongwe, hailed the artistes for their level of originality and innovation.

“There was a high level of improvement in the quality of the films submitted. It was also noted that artistes are embracing the use of new technology, a development which was noted in the number of entries submitted.”

She also highlighted shortcomings in the presentations of some submissions.

“For instance, some photographs of sculptures were not clear with obstructions in their backgrounds. In the film and TV category, formatting and labelling of entries was not well done,” Magosvongwe said.

Below is a full list of the Nama 2018 nominees:

1 SPOKEN WORD AWARDS

Outstanding Poet
Mercy Dhliwayo aka Extreme Sanity
Likhwa Ncube aka Likhwa okaNcube
Beloved Maridzanere aka Beloved Poet
Special Mention
Tanaka Tshuma aka ECTS

Outstanding Comedian
Sharon Chideu aka Magi
Dumisani H Ndlovu aka Maforty-forty
Learnmore Mwanyenyeka aka Long John

2 LITERARY ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding First Creative Published Book
Gather the Children by Batsirai Chigama [Ntombekhaya Poetry]
Kwaisava Kuda Kwangu by Victor Zivanayi and Telmore Mutiwazuka [Progressive Publishers]
Ndinobvunzawo Njira Inoende KwaMakasa by Takesure Taringana [Dzekanyi Publications]

Outstanding Children’s Book
My Rights and Other Poems by Pentecost Mate [Pentolacut Publishers]
The City Girl by Elisha July and Tendai K Rudanda [Pass-Point Publishers]

Outstanding Fiction
Itai by Abraham Makamera [Pearl Press Media]
Mazai Emheni by Daniel Mutendi [DanTs Media Publishing]

3 THEATRE AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
Teddy Mangawa in Ukama
Ronald Sigeca in Zandezi
Cedric Msongelwa in Zandezi

Outstanding Actress
Heather Mlingo in Ukama
Chido Tenga in Deep Down Inside
Qeqeshiwe Mtambo in The Hostel

Outstanding Theatrical Production
Operation Restore Regasi by Charles Munganasa
Ukama by Savanna Trust
1983: The Dark Years by Adrian Moyo

Outstanding Director
Lloyd Nyikadzino for Zandezi
Everson Ndlovu for Deep Down Inside
Thulani Mbambo for The Hostel

4 DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Female Dancer
Chaleen Chimara in Iwe Neni Tinebasa
Vein N. Alfazema in Black Sheep
Michelle Msopera in Chasing Dreams

Outstanding Male Dancer
Sean Mambwere in Know Him
Devante T Sangaza in My Journey Towards Success
Martin Chabuka in 100% Afro

Outstanding Dance Group
Real Flex Dance Group directed by Martin Chabuka
Ji Lin Dance Group directed by Devante Tatenda Sangaza
Bolamba Performing Arts directed by Mthabisi Dube

Outstanding Choreographer
Martin Chabuka – 100% Afro
Macintosh Jerahuni & Chaleen Chimara – Iwe Neni Tinebasa
Sean Mambwere – Know Him

5 VISUAL ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work
Light Over Dark by Cosmas Shiridzinomwa
The Demolition by John Kotze
The Patriarch (Revisited) by Percy Manyonga
Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work
Zvirimudombo by Shelton Mubayi

Protection by Israel Israel
The Orchestic Night by Givemore Mushaya

Outstanding Mix Media Work
Man From the Thirsty Land by Collins Chitaka
The Watchman and the Fence I by Greg Shaw
Whose Memory Whose Place by Neville Sterling

Outstanding Exhibition
Forever Neverland by Valerie Kabov
To My Unborn Child by Valerie Kabov
The Grotesque by Alan Sibanda & Talent Kapadza

6 FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
Patrick Muzondiwa as Tebogo in Kuchina The Genesis
Eddie Sandifolo as Clive in Bhachi
Stephen Chigorimbo as David in Ghost of Actions Past
Special Mention
Admire Kuzhangaira in Death and Other Complications

Outstanding Actress
Nothando Nobengula as Ana in Daddy’s Present
Brooke Ann Franklin as Laura in Ghost of Actions Past
Tendaishe Chitima as Anesu in Cook Off

Outstanding Music Video
Tinomutenda Neyi produced by Andy Sobhuza ft. Janet Manyowa
Dzamutsana produced by Vusa Hlatshwayo ft. Jah Prayzah
Tekere produced by Andy Sobhuza ft. Tammy Moyo

Outstanding Screen Production (Television Series)
Muzita Rababa directed by Shem Zemura
Kuchina The Genesis directed by Blessing Gatsi
Tunga directed by Willard Magombedze
Special Mention
Gaza directed by Ben Mahaka

Outstanding Screen Production — Short Film
Bhachi directed by Shupai Kamunyaru
My Best Friend directed by Derby Bheta
Scourge directed by Eddie Sandifolo

Outstanding Screen Production — Full Length Film
Daddy’s Present directed by Lucia Kanyongo
Death and Other Complications directed by Shem Zemura
Cook Off directed by Thomas Brickhill

7 MEDIA AWARDS
Outstanding Journalist — Print
Kenneth Nyangani – Newsday
Fred Zindi – Standard
Plot Mhako – Herald

Outstanding Journalist — Television
Mhlomuli Ncube – ZTV
Patience Nyagato – ZTV

Outstanding Journalist — Radio
Tariro Mazvarirofa aka Mai Judah – Star FM
Babongile Sikhonjwa – Sky Metro FM
Patience Musa & Nhire Mutimbanepasi – ZiFM Stereo

Outstanding Online Media
Capitalk
Zol Connect
Urban Culxure

8 MUSIC AWARDS
Outstanding Female Musician
Thamsanqa Moyo aka Tammy
Janet Manyowa
Sandra Ndebele

Outstanding Male Musician
Stephen K Mamhere aka Enzo Ishall
Enoch Munhenga aka ExQ

Braveman Chizvino aka Baba Harare

Outstanding Album
Grateful by Janet Manyowa
Ntunjambila by Majahawodwa Ndlovu aka Jeys Marabini
Tseu Tseu by Enock Munhenga aka ExQ
Dzinosvika Kure by Alick Macheso

Outstanding Song
Sweetie by Nicodimus Mutize aka Jah Signal
Khal’uphethe by Clemence Ncube aka Magwaza
Kanjiva by Stephen K. Mamhere aka Enzo Ishal
Mebo by Obert Chari

9 SPECIAL AWARDS
Artiste in the Diaspora
Donel Mangena
Danai J Gurira
Luckson Chikutu

Outstanding Promoter
2 Kings Entertainment
Unplugged
Events Evolution