Staff Reporter
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe has announced the nominees for the 22nd edition of the National Arts Merit Awards which will be held on 22 February at ZITF in Harare.
Announcing the Nominees, Chairperson of the 22nd edition’s adjudication panel, Hope Masike said, “The adjudicated works for this edition covered the period from the1st of December 2022 to the 30th of November 2023. This process was based on submitted entries as well as those identified by individual and institutional monitors appointed to track excelling artists throughout the year.”
Masike said a total of 1280 entries were received comprising of 824 physical and 456 online entries. She said music had the highest number of entries with 321 followed by visual arts with 300 submissions. Film and television had 247, literary arts 149, dance 147, theatre 71 and spoken word 45. Bulawayo Province had the highest number of submissions.
“We would like to assure creatives that all submissions were received and dully reviewed. A rigorous process of shortlisting entries for final consideration was done by the adjudicators,” reiterated Masike.
Below are the nominees for the popular music category which has always been a bone of contention over the years.
Outstanding Newcomer
Mbida-D
Kinah the Music
Bagga
Outstanding Female Musician
Feli Nandi
Janet Manyowa
Vuyo Brown
Outstanding Male Musician
Saintfloew
Msiz’kay
Enzo Ishall
Outstanding Song
One by One – Julian King ft Saintfloew
Raroorwa – Enzo Ishall
Chiremerera – Jah Prayzah
Outstanding Album
Season 4 Jesus – Joyful Praise Choir
Chiremerera – Jah Prayzah
Trophy – Freeman
Promoter Of the Year
Chipaz Promotion
Xmo Squad
Stratosphere Events
Prunella Investments
