Macheso leaves NAMA empty-handed

By Thelma Chikwanha    

Harare- Sungura music star Alick Macheso was humbled on Saturday at the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) when he lost in all the three categories he had been nominated.

Macheso, who in the past had dominated the Nama music award categories, could only cheer fellow musicians to the stage – Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky D, Freddy Manjalima aka Kapfupi and Sulumani Chimbetu, who won Album of the Year, Outstanding Song and Outstanding Group awards, respectively.

And as if Macheso knew how the night would collapse on him, he came alone without his new wife, Tafadzwa, or the first one, Nyadzisai. Macheso’s nominated song, Tafadzwa, is perhaps dedicated to the new wife. Popular reggae star Winky D, a people’s favourite, clinched the Album of the Year award with Igofigo which has in recent months dominated local charts. He was also awarded People’s Choice award.

The dreadlocked musician, who was accompanied by his mother and manager to the stage, brought the house down when he removed his jacket and shirt to reveal a soccer jersey inscribed “Messi we reggae” as he presented his acceptance speech for the People’s Choice award.

Kapfupi’s Mai Nga-, off the hit album Juice Card,  won the Outstanding Song ahead of Macheso’s Tafadzwa and Winky D’s Musarova Big Man. Chimbetu, who also had an excellent year, won Outstanding Musician/Group, ahead of Macheso and Winky D.

The late Sam Mtukudzi’s album Cheziya received special mention, while gospel group Vabati Vajehova was voted the Outstanding Choral Group. Ballet award-winning dancer Christine Clayton won the People’s Choice award in dance. The Outstanding Video of the Year award went to Woman of Rock by Willis Watafi.

In the film and television category, it was a double take for veterans. Jason Mphepo and Sandra Chidavanyika, who walked away with the Outstanding Actor and Actress awards while their film Big House Small House – directed by Rumbi Katedza – received the Outstanding Screen Production award.

Dub poet and Imbongi Arts director Albert Nyathi was honoured with the Arts Personality award for being Zimbabwe’s arts ambassador. During his acceptance speech, the visibly elated poet recited his poem My Daughter, which received a round of applause.

Pakare Paye Arts Centre, established in Norton by musician Oliver Mtukudzi, received the National Arts Service award its role in the development of young and upcoming artists. Joseph Mandizvidza and Leonard Mabvara of ZBC received the Radio and Television Arts Reporter of the year, respectively, while Godwin Muzari of The Standard clinched the Print Media award.

Other winners included Joyce Mpofu (Outstanding Actress), Teddy Mangava (Outstanding Actor), Eunice Ratidzo Tava (Outstanding Theatrical Production), Ngonidzashe Godfrey Tsiga (Outsanding 2 Dimensional Work), Zacharamba Magasa (Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work).

Victor Nyakauru (Outstanding Mix Media Work), Mashingaidze Gomo (Outstanding Fiction Book), Memory Chirere (Outstanding Children’s Book), Makhula Moyo (Outsanding Male Dancer), Christie Clayton (Outstanding Female Dance), Rumbi Katedza (Outstanding Screen Production – Film and Hona Mwana Wako (Outstanding Screen Production). Daily News