The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe(NACZ) launched the inaugural National Arts Merit Awards( NAMA) in February 2002. NAMA is the forum where the NACZ recognises outstanding achievements within the Arts Sector. By rewardibg excelling artists, NAMA stimulates more interest in the arts and raises the profile of the same. NACZ consideers the awards as one of the menas of encouraging creativity and excellence in the quality of the arts, making Zimbabwe a force to recdkon with on the international areana.
In addition the awards aim to inspire artists to strive to hiher and original forms of creativity and provide an opportunity for arts disciplines to jointly market and publicise the arts locally, regionally and inetrnationally.
Who can participate?
All Zimbabwean artists from any of the artistic disciplines namely, dance, literary arts,theatre, music, visula arts and media.
How to participate
Entry forms can be obtained from NACZ officers throughout the country, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, registered arts associations and organisations in Zimbabwe and online(www.natartszim.org)
Criteria for selection
Sponsorship
The awards ceremony generates a lot of publicity locally, regionally and internationally providing an opportunity for the corporate sector, institutions and individuals to markert themselves at the prestigious event on the Zimbabwean Arts Calendar. The event has the potential for creating a positive image for the sponsors of each individual award.(courtsey of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe)
NAMA 2012 WINNERS
LITERARY ARTS
Outstanding Fiction Book
Lazaruses and Devases by Wellington Kusema (Heritage Press, UK)
Outstanding Children’s Book
Tindo's Quest by Shimmer Chinodya (Longman Zimbabwe)
Outstanding First Creative Published Work
The African Tea Cosy by Violet Masilo (Zimbabwe Women Writers)
DANCE
Outstanding Male Dancer
Macintosh Jerahuni - National Ballet
Outstanding Female Dancer
Mitchell Natville - National Ballet
Outstanding Dance Group
Umkhathi Theatre Works
THEATRE
Outstanding Actress
Edith Katiji in The Comeback
Outstanding Actor
Michael Southall in Jesus My Boy
Outstanding Theatrical Production
Burn Mukwerekwere directed by Blessing Hungwe produced by NKM Productions
MUSIC
Outstanding Song
Nyika Zimbabwe by Charles Charamba
Outstanding Album
NdiMwari by Blessing Shumba
Outstanding Musician /Group
Sulumani Chimbetu
VISUAL ARTS
Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work
Limitless Diversity by Calvin Chimutuwah
Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work
Nguva Yekupembera by Boet Nyariri
Outstanding Mix Media Work
Barika by Forbes Mushipe
FILM & TELEVISION
Outstanding Actor
Munyaradzi Chidzonga aka The Twins – Tawana & Takunda Toga in The Gentleman
Outstanding Actress
Caroline Mashingaidze aka Zodwa in New Dawn
Outstanding Screen Production (Film)
Pfuma produced & directed by Jasen Mphepho
Outstanding Screen Production (Television Drama)
New Dawn produced & directed by Jasen Mphepho
Outstanding Music Video
Grown up kid featuring Tendai Nguni produced by Friends of Joshua Trust
MEDIA AWARDS
Outstanding Arts Reporter (Print)
Tony Mhonda (The Herald)
Outstanding Arts Reporter (Electronic: Radio)
Nqobile Malinga (ZBC)
Outstanding Arts Reporter (Electronic: Television)
Terence Mapurisana - ZBC News
People's Choice Awards - Dance
Mitchell Natville - National Ballet
People's Choice Awards - Music
Winky D
National Arts Service Award
Prince Tendai Mpfurutsa
Arts Personality Award
Nkululeko Dube - IYASA
The Culture Fund has a longstanding Memorandum of Understanding with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) as partners seeking to promote the growth and development of the arts and culture sector in Zimbabwe. We cooperate to harmonise institutional functions for the promotion of a sustainable culture sector in Zimbabwe. Within the framework of this partnership, the Culture Fund compliments some of the National Arts Council’s programmes by extending financial and technical support to strategic events such as the Jikinya Children’s Traditional Dance Festival, the Annual Arts and Culture Indaba, the Rainbow Festival in Matabeleland South and the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA).
The Culture Fund, in partnership with the Swedish Development Agency (Sida) extended support to the 12th edition of NAMA totalling US$10,666 in December 2011 for purposes of contributing towards the following activities and components:
• NAMA winners trophies
• NAMA nominees and winners certificates
• NAMA night artists performance fees
• NAMA invites and programme/catalogue