NAMA 2026 full Nominees list

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe has released the nominees for the 24 National Arts Merit Awards to be held at the HICC on February 28.

The awards ceremony, organised by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, is set to take place at Harare International Conference Centre and will honour works produced between December 1, 2024, and November 30, 2025.

Given the immense popularity of both artists, it will be intriguing to see how they fare against each other in these categories.

Fans are eager for a showdown that's sure to light up the event.

Slated for February 28 this year, the ceremony, themed "Fearless Creativity," promises a potent mix of established icons and vibrant new voices across diverse genres.

 

Below is the full list of the nominees

VISUAL ARTS

Outstanding Female Visual Artist
Amanda Shingirai Mushate - Chimoro neHukoshwa Part 1
Sabina Mutsvati - Ndishonongoreiwo
Shamila Aasha - Healing Alchemy 

Outstanding Male Visual Artist
Confidence Zinyeka - Intimate Conversation
Pardon Mapondera - Dotipaiwo Mwenje
Tinotenda Chivhinge - Nonsense Hit Song 

Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist
Claire Munjoma - Shanduko
Tadiwanashe Joel Mafuta - Dismas
Crystal Vimbainashe Beseni - Maps of Everything 

Outstanding Exhibition
Ndishonongoreiwo (Solo Exhibition) by Sabina Mutsvati, curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa
Perfection Is Not Always Reality (Solo Exhibition) by Tinotenda Chivhinge, curated by Doris Kamupira
CHEUKA Harare Art Fair, curated by Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe 

THEATRE AWARDS 

Outstanding Actor
Cadrick Msongelwa as Squealer/Storyteller/Mr. Jones - Zi Animal Farm
Elroy Takunda Musiiwa as Benjamin/Storyteller One - Zi Animal Farm
Ronald Sigeca as Prophet - These Humans Are Sick 

Outstanding Actress
Chidochashe Joanne Tenga as Bope - Can We Talk?
Tsungirirai Chenjerai as Snowball/Clover/Storyteller - Zi Animal Farm
Thandolwenkosi Nkiwane - Multi-characters - Ipi Ntombi 

Outstanding Theatrical Production
In Search of a King - Celebration Church
Can We Talk? - Almasi Collaborative Arts
Zi Animal Farm - Savanna Trust 

Outstanding Director
Daniel Dueschle - In Search of a King
Leonard Matsa - Can We Talk?
Sandra Braddock - Ipi Ntombi 

Outstanding Playwright
Tatenda Mutyambizi - These Humans Are Sick
Batsirai Chigama - Can We Talk? 

LITERARY AWARDS 

Outstanding Fiction Book
Iluba lika Ntunjambila - Polite Sibanda (Pre-dawn Publishers)
My Affair with Misfortune - Sipho Mpofu (Elane Publishing Consultancy)
The Toppling - Cynthia Rumbidzai Marangwanda (Carnelian Heart Publishing Ltd) 

Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
Gonan'ombe Retsika Namararamiro eChivanhu - Morden Tavarwisa (Miamuty)
Kurasika MuAfurika - Rumbidzai Caroline Kahari (Essential Books Publishing Company)
The Essentials to Faithful Living - Michael H. Nyahwera (Beyond Today) 

Outstanding Children's Book
Mukanyawashe's Big Adventure - Gerald Shorayi (Essential Books Publishing Company)
The Adventures of Dafi and Rize - Wadzanai Tadhuvana (Kunda Kids Publishers)
The Old River Woman - Shakemore Dirani (Essential Books Publishing Company)

Special Mention
The Exciting Story of Chipo the Bird - Jean Taanashe Botso (Essential Books Publishing Company)
Munashe The Clever Boy - Rigel Chabata (Essential Books Publishing Company)
 

Outstanding First Published Work
Hanzi Huchi Hwenduri - Kubva Mukatikati - Ushehwedu Kufakurinani (Carnelian Heart Publishing Limited)
The Killer Pastor - Entourade Usayi (Soar Publishers)
Zvamuri Ndaimbova Zvandiri Muchava - Josiah Muchada (Sahara Publishers) 

FILM & TELEVISION AWARDS 

Outstanding Actor
Calvin Madula as Stan "SK" Khumalo - High School Diaries
Charles Kamara as Mike - Nhai Maiguru
Leroy Siyafa as James - God Sleeps on Sundays 

Outstanding Actress
Wizzy Mangoma as Chirongoma - God Sleeps on Sundays
Charity Dlodlo as Maria - Forget Me Not
Natasha Dlamini as Beauty - Totem 

Outstanding Music Video
Kuno - Jah Prayzah (Directed by Vusa Hlatshwayo & Davis Hanzu)
Fake Love - Winky D (Directed by Tawanda Sibotshiwe)
Nguva NdeyaMwari - Dorcas Moyo (Directed by Hastings Chiromo) 

Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
High School Diaries - John Mabuyane
Magweja - Dexter Fundire
Love Across the Ocean - Willy Makumire Lilly 

Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)
A Future Untold - Prosper Kunyetu
God Sleeps on Sundays - Naishe Nyamubaya
Totem - Nicole Panashe Dzenga 

Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length)
Loved Out - Tendai Nyeke
Dilemma - Joe Njagu
Mwana Wangu - Nakai Beauty Tsuro 

DANCE AWARDS 

Outstanding Dance Group/Production
Salt 'n' Light Dance Company - Still Salty
Diamond Girls - Unseen Stars
MnM Dance Factory - African Sunrise 

Outstanding Female Dancer
Mandisa Maseko (Storm Zw) - The Crown Project
Celine Madziva - Celine's Work
Lisa Tanaka Magwenzi (Lissa Tanaka) - Lissa Tanaka 

Outstanding Male Dancer
Prince Mbisa (Amazing Prince) - The Rise of Amazing Prince
Lawrence Sirewo (Flexxy Smith) - Big Brother Mzansi
Shadreck Moyo (Shaddy Stiffler) - The Cowboys 

Outstanding Choreographer
Tanaka Machikicho - Diamond Girls
Celine Madzivai - Celine
Terrence Kapesa - Salt & Light Dance Company 

SPOKEN WORD AWARDS

Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian
Frank Chirisa
Mbongeni Ignatious
Nigel Maritinyu (Nijo the Slick Pastor)

Outstanding Poet
Obert Dube
Sithandazile Dube
Thaluso Moyo (Thaluso the Poet) 

MUSIC AWARDS 

Outstanding Female Musician
Sharon Manyonganise Cherayi
Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa (Nisha Ts)
Ashleigh Angel Moyo (Shashl) 

Outstanding Male Musician
Michael Mahendere
Emegy Chizanga (Freeman HKD)
Mukudzeyi Mukombe (Jah Prayzah) 

Outstanding Breakthrough Musician
Nyasha Emmanuel Dedza (Junior Spragga)
Atenda Chingaira (Atenda Chinx)
Shone Qongo (Shone) 

Outstanding Music Group
The Redeemed Family
VeRutendo
Joyful Praise 

Outstanding Song
Ruzhowa - Jah Prayzah
Admire Kadembo - Nisha Ts
Too Much - Nutty O 

Outstanding Album
The Notebook - Freeman HKD
Ndini Mukudzeyi - Jah Prayzah
The Woman King - Gender IIH - Nisha Ts 

FASHION AWARDS 

Outstanding Male Designer
Rangarirai Kenias - Raengah
Brightman Dlamini - Tocar Narrations
Ishmael Tsakatsa - Zargue'sia 

Outstanding Female Fashion Designer
Nomakhosazana Khanyile Ncube - A Tribe Called Zimbabwe
Danayi Madondo - Haus of Stone
Yolanda Ngwenya - Bakhar 

Outstanding Contributor to the Fashion Industry
Amanda Mutangadura - AM Model Management
Priscilla Chigariro - Zimbabwe Fashion Week
Joyce Chimanye - ZUVVA 

DIGITAL ARTS AWARDS

Outstanding Female Social Media Content Creator
Blessing Nashe - Nashe the Plug
Gracia Bvute - Pot Tradition
Tariro Sarudzai Mharapara - Butterphly 

Outstanding Male Social Media Content Creator
Marvellous Ngongoro - African Finder
Kelvin Biriot
Prince Sivalo Mahlangu - Magriza Made Me Cook 

Outstanding Podcast
Zigo Podcast
Pass and Move Podcast
The Ollah 7 Podcast 

Outstanding Social Media Skits
Leroy T. Zaware (Comic Elder)
Sean Khoza (Code Red Studios) - Tokoloshi
Ronald Chimombe (Thugga Thugga) 

SPECIAL AWARDS 

Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora
Bhekinkosi Mabhena (DJ Nitefreak) - France & Spain
Luckson Chikutu (Manluckerz) - USA
Chrispen Nyathi - South Africa 

Promoter of the Year
Stratosphere Events (Fiesta Fiesta Zimbabwe) - Charles Ayisa
Odyssey Entertainment (Kadoma Music Festival) - Prince Mharadze
Ngoma Nehosho (Jacaranda Music Festival) - Walter Wanyanya 

People's Choice Award
Principal Chigwida (Prince Chigwida)
Leroy T. Zaware (Comic Elder)
Wallace Chirumiko (Winky D)
Mukudzeyi Mukombe (Jah Prayzah)
Michelle Moyo (Ritz Mcleish)