Opinion / Columnist
Two gongs for Masimba Musodza at the Zimbabwe Music & Arts Awards 2016
06 Dec 2016 at 20:55hrs | Views
He never came, but he saw and he conquered. UK-based Zimbabwean writer and actor, Masimba Musodza, won awards in the two categories he was nominated in at this year's edition of the Zimbabwe Music & Arts Awards, which was held in Maidenhead, Windsor, on the 26th of November. His ChiShona-language horror novel, Shavi Rechikadzi, was chosen Fiction Book of the Year in the Literary Arts category, while Musodza himself was selected Male Actor of the Year award.
Masimba Musodza regrets that, due to pressing circumstances, he was unable at the last minute to attend the event. However, he managed to see portions of it on Zimbolive TV, the community netcaster. He is overwhelmed by the support of Zimbabweans everywhere, and other people who are beginning to notice the impact of Zimbabwean artists globally. He is especially delighted that a novel in an indigenous Zimbabwean language was chosen as the Fiction Book of the Year. Passionate as he is about the creative industry in Middlesbrough, he is also pleased that a fellow Smoggie (as residents of Middlesbrough are sometimes called), Kudzai Pasirayi, was nominated for the Writer of the Year Award. Furthermore, Crossroads by Luton-based Arthur Mutonono, which vied for the Fiction Book of the Year Award, was published by Masimba's imprint, Fairfield Press.
Masimba is currently working on a sci-fi movie that touches on the urban legend of the "Men In Black", and a short film about a Zimbabwean woman confronting the challenges of being an illegal immigrant in the UK. In between these projects, he continues to play supporting roles in various television and cinema productions. He also has two novels scheduled for release in December, one in English and the second in ChiShona.
Now in its sixth year, the Zimbabwe Music and Arts (ZIMAA)Awards honours Zimbabweans, mostly in the United Kingdom, who "who despite busy schedules and some hardships still pursue their passions in the different sectors sectors bringing happiness, entertainment and pleasure to their clients and patrons. The beauty and brightness of the flower also symbolizes the people of Zimbabwe and the vision we have for all Zimbabwean artists the world over to bloom and excel above others."
Source - online
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