NAMA review by Christina De Klerk
THIS year’s edition of the National Arts Merit Awards was filled with pomp and fanfare but not without its drama.
The Harare International Conference Centre was packed and guests passed through the red carpet for photo sessions.
The awards ceremony kicked off with a top notch performance by Vabati VaJehova, Ammara Brown, Freeman and sungura godfather Alick Macheso .
The energy on stage was great but Baba Shero as Macheso is affectionally called, was a bit out of sync.
Let me digress.
The who is who in the entertainment industry started off by showing off their fancy outfits and everyone put in an effort to look dapper.
It was lights, camera, action all the way!
Unfortunately, some guests got a middle finger and were snubbed by photographers, while others grabbed attention.
This reporter was in earshot of the photographers who were arguing about favouritism.
One of the major highlights on the red carpet was the Kodak moment of rapper T-Gonzi’s kiss with an unidentified lady.
The red carpet reached boiling point when the arguably best dressed woman of the night, Mbo Mahocs aka Chichi showed up in a stunning pink outfit which ‘murdered’ the crowd.
Ammara Brown came and went… nothing to talk about as far as her outfit for the evening is concerned, but kudos to Gemma Griffiths- she was dressed to kill.
Youthful diva Tammy Moyo divorced from her usual near nude dress code and was fully clothed.
Ironically her mother cum manager was the one who bared it all, in an outfit that exposed all the flesh and she was a victim of a wardrobe malfunction.
She exposed her undergarments as she walked up on stage in solidarity with her daughter.
Madame Boss was clad in a red outfit which exposed her thunder thighs, however her presentation skills were the best example of lack of creativity.
The situation was made worse by a group of rowdy youths who chanted “Stop bleaching! Stop bleaching!” when she appeared on stage.
Businessman and socialite Genius ‘Ginimbi’ Kadungure came in the company of entertainer Tinotenda ‘Rimo’ Marimo, and ushers had to run around to get the entourage seats in the VVIP.
The awards presentation went on smoothly until Gemma Griffiths missed the diaspora awards category and it went to Musa Mkhaya.
The crowd disputed the adjudicator’s decision and chanted Gemma’s name.
When Sandra Ndebele announced Antoinette Masango as the best actress (film and television), she frowned for reasons best known to herself.
T -Gonzi and Ishan were the men of the moment and grabbed two gongs.
Notable socialites present were Zuva Habane, Thomas Chizhanje, Lorraine Guyo, Rimo, Ginimbi among others.
Government chipped in with funding for the first time and kudos to minister Kirsty Coventry.
Here are the winners:
Outstanding Newcomer– Ishan
Outstanding Female Musician– Tamy Moyo
Outstanding Male Musician– Ti Gonzi
Outstanding Song- ‘Kure’ – Ishan ft. Ti Gonzi
Outstanding Album– Uhuru – Willis Wataffi
Outstanding Music Video– ‘Sunshine City’ – Flying Bantu
Outstanding Fiction Book- Out of Darkness, Shining Light – Petina Gappah
Outstanding Children’s Book- Songs of the Little Creature – Phumulani Chipandambira
Outstanding First Creative Published Book– A People’s Fight – Fradreck Hombiro
Outstanding Female Dance–Dadirai Mupandawana – Ezimnyama Dance Group
Outstanding Male Dancer– Selemani Mpochi – Ochestra Mberikwazvo
Outstanding Actress– Charmaine Mudau – Another Wedding
Outstanding Screen Production (Television Series)– Muzita Rababa – Shem Zemura
Outstanding Screen Production – Short Film– Redefining the Road – Tapiwa Gambira
Outstanding Mix Media Work- Distorted History – Anthony Bumhira
Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work– Cyclone Idai where is Mommy? – Calvin Chimutuwah
Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work– Tribute to the mother of generations – Stanley Mutanga
Outstanding Exhibition- Pieces for Peace, Pieces, Revolutionary Freshness – Talent Kapadza & Schuma Herscovitz
Outstanding Journalist (Print)– Tafadzwa Kachiko – Newsday
Outstanding Journalist (TV)– Masceline Bondamakara – ZBC
Outstanding Journalist Radio
- Anesu Masamvu – ZiFM
- Yvonne Tivatye – Star FM
- Thulani Munyandu – National FM
Outstanding Online Media- Zimbojam
Outstanding Comedian– Long John
Outstanding Poet– Sithembile Siqhoza Ndebele
Outstanding Actor (Film and TV)– Percy Soko – Mandla
Outstanding Actress (Film and TV)– Antoinette Sango – Mandla
Outstanding Screen Production (TV)–Mandla – Solomon Mandaza
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)– Redefining the Road – Tapiwa Gambura
Outstanding Screen Production (Full-length Film)– Stay with Me – Nick Zemura
Artist in the Diaspora– Vusa Mkhaya
Outstanding Promoter of the Year– D & G Promotions
Personality of the Year– Nobuntu
Service to the Arts Award– Solomon Guramatunhu
Lifetime Achievement Award– Stella Chiweshe
People’s Choice Award– Winky D