NAMAs move to HICC…Mulls Tuku Tribute?

The 18th edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) will be held at the Harare International Conference Centre on 23 March 2019.

The initial date as per the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe usual calendar was 16 February 2019.

Organisers say the ceremony has been moved forward due to logistical planning.

The previous edition of NAMAs have been held at smaller venues like the 7 Arts Theatre or Reps Theatre.

Zimbuzz is reliably informed that the change of venue and date has been neccesited so as to plan for a tribute show to the late national hero Dr Oliver Mtukudi who died Wednesday 23 January 2019 at the Avenues Clinic in Harare.

This year’s NAMA edition received a total number of 1 436 entries. Those who submitted include production houses, studios, stables, galleries, organisations, associations, groups, artistes, monitors and/or the public.

Some of the entries were identified by monitors who were appointed by NACZ and kept an eye on any excelling artists throughout the year.

Said acting communication and marketing manager Cathrine Mthombeni, “This year’s NAMA theme is “African Royalty” and it speaks to the quality and competitiveness of art products from Africa.”

“The world is hungry for Zimbabwean works of art from film, visual arts, music, dance, literature amongst others and these should be packaged and marketed accordingly.

“The theme also speaks to the idea of our artists producing work that tells the proudly Zimbabwean story in a quality and global standard.”