By Richmore Tera.
Harare, Zimbabwe. (News Of The South) – THE carpet has been unfurled and artists who will entertain guests at the National Arts Merit Awards ceremony (Nama) this Saturday night at 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, Harare have been announced.
Through their Communications and Marketing Manager, Cathrine Mthombeni, the National Arts of Zimbabwe, who are the organisers of Nama, promised a night of scintillating performances from the artistes who have been selected for the act.
“To spice up the event and to give it an artistic sparkle, guests will have a treat from the following artists: celebrated musician Jah Prayzah, renowned visual artists Voti Thebe, Air Force percussion artists, songbird Noma Nkwali, Shabach Entertainment, M & M Dance Factory, ProBeats and scintillating dances from CHIPAWO,” Mthombeni said.
If you are one of those people who enjoy live performances at their best, then brace yourself for a potentially pyrotechnic act by popular musician Jay Prayzah and his Third Generation outfit.
The “Mudhara Vachauya” hitmaker – who is also in the running at the awards ceremony – is set to wow the audience with his catalogue of hit songs that have made him a household name. Who doesn’t like “Tsviriyo”, “Jerusarema” and “Eriza” among others, all of which are of anthemic status among Jah Prayzah’s legion of fans?
Jah Prayzah’s stage performance is always electric, what with his energetic dance moves which are in synchrony with his dancers.
His inclusion on the line of performers as well as on the list of nominees shows the massive popularity that the talented musician enjoys among music lovers.
One good thing about the choice of performers is that it also affords the audience both at the venue of the awards and at home (thanks to live screening from ZTV) – a chance to sample some of the talents that Zimbabwe has on offer.
Probeats might sound to be new to some people but the name has been in the performance genre in Zimbabwe for a while now.
A winner of five gold medals at the 10-day World Championships of Performing Arts (Wcopa) held in Hollywood late last year, Probeats won’t disappoint guests.
If ever there is one outfit that oozes with talent, then it is none other than the Airforce Band and with their brass-instruments playing skills, they are likely to bring the roof down with their showing.
Those who have watched them in action can testify to how they always send the crowd into frenzy with their renditions of popular songs by musicians like Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Alick Macheso, Blessing Shumba, Mathias Mhere; and with Jah Prayzah around, their re-inaction of his song “Mudhara Vachauya” might cause fireworks on stage with “Soja” as Jah Prayzah is also called, likely to join them in action.
Children’s Performing Arts Workshop (Chipawo) are not new to audiences of this magnitude considering the fact that they have been performing at international platforms that equal Nama for many years now.
One can bet their bottom dollar on the act by Chipawo’s dancers, while visual artist Voti Thebe, songbird Noma Nkwali, Shabach Entertainment and M & M Dance Factory will also be out to prove their worth.
The Namas are now in their 16th edition and this year there has been a total of 95 nominees in the various awards on offer where 35 winners will walk away with prizes of excellence.
There has been an exciting spread of nominees who were drawn from Harare, Bulawayo, Manicaland, Matabeleland South, and Masvingo to give the awards the much diversity and mix needed for artistic growth and promotion.
Artistes are vying for honours in the categories of Music, Literary Arts, Dance, Visual Arts, Film and Television, Theatre, Media as well as Spoken Word. Special awards are also on offer for individuals and institutions who have made an impact in the development and promotion of the arts in Zimbabwe. These are the National Arts Service Award, Arts Personality Award and Promoter of the Year, while the People’s Choice Award is a celebration of an artist whom the people vote for as their favourite choice.
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