Event

National Arts Merit Awards 2024: A Comprehensive Breakdown and Winners' Reactions

Published February 28, 2024

The National Arts Merit Awards for 2024 recently took the stage in Bulawayo, bringing a mix of predictable triumphs and unexpected twists. Held on the 23rd of February, the event saw popular artists Winky D and Jah Prayzah taking home the 'People’s Choice Award' and 'Album of the Year' respectively.

Secret Voting Leads to Surprises

In a year already marked by upsets, the NAMA's secret voting process added to the unpredictability, with surprising outcomes in several categories. Notably, the song "Bhebhi Rako Raroorwa" by Enzo Ishall emerged as an anthem for weddings across Shona-speaking regions, making it a contender for the song of the decade.

Winners Speak Out

Winky D expressed immense gratitude to his supporters, dedicating his win to fans of his music. Jah Prayzah also extended heartfelt thanks to his followers and collaborators for the success of his double album release.

The Controversy of 'Damage' Music Video

The win of 'Damage' for Outstanding Music Video stirred controversy, with the video being unreleased to the public yet sent to numerous film festivals. Questions were raised about the fairness of the submission and the potential conflict of interest given Jonathan Samukange's role in producing other competing videos.

Areas for Improvement at NAMA

Several suggestions for improvement were noted, such as adopting more modern broadcasting methods like live streaming on social media to reach a broader audience and ensuring rule consistency for video submissions. The absence of a Comedy category winner also prompted reflections on the subjective nature of awards.

Conclusion: Subjectivity in Awards

While subjectivity will always play a role in awards, recognizing a wide range of talent remains crucial. From first-time winners like Clive Mono Mukundu to respected veterans like Dr. Thompson Kumbirayi Tsodzo, the NAMAs of 2024 proved to be a memorable event celebrating Zimbabwe's vibrant arts scene.

Bulawayo, WinkyD, JahPrayzah