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The late Bob Marley

Sophia Chese Arts Correspondent
Organisers of the Zimbabwe Music Awards will honour legendary reggae icon Bob Marley with a lifetime achievement award, an official has revealed. Zima 2015 will be held early next year on a date to be announced. Speaking at a press conference to announce the Zima 2015 nominees, Zima chairman Joseph Nyadzayo said they have decided to honour the legendary musician for his contribution to the country’s history musically. The late Jamaica legend, Bob Marley is credited locally for touring the country in 1980 to perform at the first Independence celebrations. “Next year Zimbabwe will be celebrating 36 years of independence and this marks 35 years after Bob Marley’s death. The musician has contributed immensely to the country’s history,

“When the country attained its independence he came and performed as we hosted our national flag. We also feel that he is the father of reggae, a genre that has given birth to the genre of the moment Zimdancehall — so this year’s honorary award is going to Bob Marley,” he said.

Nyadzayo highlighted that they have been communicating with the Marley family who have confirmed they will have a representative at the Zima 2015 award ceremony. “The Marley family will be in the country end of January or the first week of February and Julia Marley will receive the award on behalf of his father,” he said.

Last time the honorary award was presented to revolutionary musician Dick Chingaira aka Cde Chinx who was given a house for his contribution to the Zimbabwean music.