Ziwa women’s awards set for October

By Esther Gomo | Nehanda Showbiz |

BIRMINGHAM – The annual Zimbabwe International Women Awards (ZIWAs) are back with this year’s event penciled in for Birmingham on the 3rd of October.

The awards, founded in 2013 by Juliana Jonathan and Maud Goba, aim to celebrate unsung Zimbabwean women across the globe that are making strides in their respective fields.

Last year, viewers from around the world were able to tune in and watch the ceremony through a free online live streaming service by Zimbolive TV.

Organisers told Nehanda Radio they had listened to constructive criticism and appointed community researchers to assist in discovering women who are making an impact in the community even if they are not necessarily ‘popular’ on social media for example.

Some of the nominees this year include UK based Zimbabwean actress Chipo Chung, well known in science fiction circles for her work in the TV series Doctor Who.

Also nominated is Ellah Wakatama Allfrey, a Zimbabwe-born editor and literary critic.

She is a former Deputy Editor of Granta (2009–13) and former Senior Editor at Jonathan Cape, Random House.

She sits on the board of the Writers’ Centre Norwich and has been Deputy Chair of the Council of the Caine Prize for African Writing.

Below is the full list of nominees for 2015

1. Artist
Helen Leiros – ZIM
Virginia Chihota-Sulzberger- ZIM
Sheena Chadwick- ZIM
Nancy Mteki-ZIM
Ruramai Rudo Musekiwa- SA

2. Actress
Chipo Chung-UK
Denise Edwards-ZIM
Memry Savanhu-NIGERIA
Ratidzo Mambo-USA
Hannah Madzikanda-ZIM

3. Author
Ellah Wakatama Allfrey-UK
NoViolet Bulawayo-USA/ZIM
Epi Mabika-UK
Bertha Mukodzani-UK

4. Blogger (General)
Tendai Marowa – SA
Sakhile Khanye-UK
Harriet Mupungu-UK
Kudzai Pasirayi-UK
Dorcas Gwata-UK

5. Business Woman
Julia Vera-UK
Takudzwa Chitsike-ZIM
Faith Domingo Nechirongo – UK
Rumbi Serima Fowler-UK
Sifiso Nxumalo-CANADA

6. Community Champion
Simangele Moyo-ZIM
Sakhile Sibanda-Kamer-ZIM
Scholastica Munaku- ZIM
Jenny Ngulube-UK
Nyaru Mushayamombe -ZIM

7. Courage Award (Panel)
TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE EVENT

8. Entrepreneur
Tarisai Tsveta-UK
Ruth Mthombeni – ZIM
Lungile Dlodlo-ZIM
Jackie Mgido-USA
Lani Masuku-AUS

9. Fashion Blogger
Natasha Ndlovu – Bisous (UK)
Paloma – Loloskloset(UK)
Cynthia Hungwe – Skittles(UK)
Robin Tatenda Chaibva – Concrete Jungle (ZIM)
Tendai Kamusikiri – Signature Toscie – ZIM

10. Fashion Designer
Trudy Furusa-UK
Joy Ndundu – UK
Yvette Ndaba- ZIM
Unique Sibanda-UK
Phoebe Mwanza-AUS

11. Humanitarian
Rumbidzai Dube-ZIM
Clarissa Regede-ZIM
Rumbi Bvunzawabaya-UK
Tariro Nhari- UK
Vu Mashengele, Lorraine Bere & Thuli Mazwi (You Have it In You Foundation) Canada

12. Inspirational Woman
Vonayi Nyamazana-UK
Ivy Chatora-UK
Thandi Haruperi-UK
Hatifare Munongi -ZIM
Tsitsi Chituku-UK

13. Media Professional
Candice Mwakalyelye-ZIM
Mai Chisamba-ZIM
Tsitsi Mutendi-ZIM
Vimbai Kajese-Sibanda-CHINA
Vimbai Mutinhiri-SA

14. Motivational Speaker
Tendai Garwe – ZIM
Ruth Mutanda- UK
Teurai Chanakira-AUS
Pamela Dunduru -UK
Tendayi Ndoro

15. Musician
Nobuntu-ZIM
Ammara Brown-ZIM
Chashe -UK
Tinashe-USA
Hope Masike-ZIM

16. People’s Choice
Kudzai Violet Gwara (KVG)- ZIM
Lilian Choruwa-ZIM
Jennie Musonza-UK
Cecelia Kupera-UK
Fadzi Jaravaza/Sista Zai Zanda – AUS

17. Professional Woman
Mary Majoni-UK
Felicity Ukoko-UK
Nyarai Kadungure-UK
Kundai Chunyenze-ZIM
Tsitsi Grace Penduka-ZIM

18. Sportswoman
Teurai Chanakira-AUS
Rutendo Nyahora-ZIM
Sharon Tavengwa-ZIM
Tanya Muzinda-ZIM
Yolanda Mubaiwa-ZIM

19. Women’s Collective
Kusimudzirana Women’s Trust-ZIM
The Musi Trust-ZIM
Zim Women Association Northampton-UK
The Life Project(Mpilo Maternity)-UK
ZVIPO The Girl’s Legacy-ZIM

20. Young Achiever
Vongai Ruzive-UK
Nicole Ndiweni-UK
Cynthia Masiyiwa-UK
Thando Sikwila – AUS
Sh’anesu Angela Gutsa-UK

21. Panel Choice
Vanessa Sanyauke -UK
Hanani Dube -UK
Melissa Mazingi – ZIM
Dr Marina Hudson – ISLE of Man
Faith Katsaura-Mawande-ZIM
22. Lifetime Achievement