HARARE – Cool crooner ExQ was the biggest winner on a glitzy night at the National Arts Merit Awards on Saturday.
The Nzenza star walked away with two gongs for Outstanding Male and Outstanding Album for Tseu Tseu.
Janet Manyowa took home Outstanding Female, reward for her smash hit Zadzisa.
Enzo Ishal won the coveted Outstanding Song with Kanjiva, beating the highly fancied Sweetie by Jah Signal.
There was stunned surprise in the room when gospel singer Mai Patai won the People’s Choice award. Very few people had been exposed to her music, and this was evident on the internet where many accused NAMA organisers of “rigging” that result.
“Was this process overseen by ZEC?,” mocked former finance minister Tendai Biti on Twitter, suggesting the reviled Zimbabwe Electoral Commission may have rigged the process.
Celebrated videographer Vusa Blaqs took the plaudits for producing Jah Prayzah’s Dzamutsana music video, which won Outstanding Music Video.
The NAMAs paid tribute to the late Oliver Mtukudzi and writer Charles Mungoshi.
The full list of National Arts Merit Awards winners:
- SPOKEN WORD AWARDS
Outstanding Poet
Likhwa Ncube – aka Likhwa okaNcube
Special Mention
Tanaka Tshuma aka ECTS
Outstanding Comedian
Learnmore Mwanyenyeka – aka Long John
- 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]
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 Hlatshwayo 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
