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Tafadzwa Zimoyo Entertainment Reporter
Intwasa Arts Festival theatre production “Umbiko KaMadlenya” dominated this year’s National Arts Merit Awards after scooping four accolades at a ceremony held at 7Arts Theatre in Avondale on Saturday.

The production took awards for Outstanding Actress (Bathabile Dlamini), Outstanding Actor (Memory Kumbota), Best Director (Nelson Mapako) and Outstanding Theatrical Production.

In the music category, man-of-the-moment Tocky Vibes was the biggest winner after bagging two awards.

Tocky Vibes – real name Obey Makamure – walked away with the Outstanding Album for his singles collection and Outstanding Song of the Year for his popular track “Mhai”.

He thanked his fans for the support.

“I want to thank my parents and fans for their tremendous support,” said Tocky Vibes who was donning a blue suit and a matching shirt.

Some fans felt Tocky was robbed after losing the People’s Choice award to Uncle Ritchie of Zvirikumbofamba Sei fame and the Outstanding Male award to Suluman Chimbetu.

They began to chant his name after presenters announced the winners’ names in those respective categories.

Jah Prayzah, who was nominated twice, went home empty-handed but made his presence felt when he presented an award with bubbly Zi-Fm radio personality Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa.

Oliver Mtukudzi walked away with the Lifetime Achievement award, while comedian Carl Joshua Ncube was voted Arts Personality of the Year.

The colourful ceremony was hosted by South Africa-based Zimbabwean born actor Leeroy Gopal of “Yellow Card” fame, comedian Babongile Sikonjwa and radio Personality Patience Musa.

Guests and fans were treated to some entertainment by Cynthia Mare, stand up comedian Clive Chigubu and poet Nqobile Malinga.

This year’s 14th NAMA edition was better and organised compared to previous years.

The event was screened live on ZTV with diplomats, celebrities, ministers, musicians and radio disc jockeys in attendance.

Again some critics have complained over the use of the same faces as presenters while Zi-Fm radio station dominated with the most presenters.

Winners walked away with a gong and US$100 stop-to-star training vouchers.

BELOW IS THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS VISUAL ARTS AWARDS

Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work

Winner: Undressing to Redress by Wallen Mapondera

Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work

Winner: Mwana Wedangwe by Rufaro Murenza

Outstanding Mix Media

Winner : Disappearing Faces by Rizimu Chiwawa

Outstanding Exhibition

Winner: Crossing the Bridge by Clifford Zulu

THEATRE AWARDS

Outstanding Actress

Winner: Bathabile Dlamini in Umbiko KaMadlenya

Outstanding Actor

Winner: Memory Kumbota in Umbiko KaMadlenya

Outstanding Director

Winner: Nelson Mapako for Umbiko KaMadlenya

Outstanding Theatrical Production

Winner: Umbiko KaMadlenya by Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo

DANCE AWARDS

Outstanding Male Dancer

Winner: McIntosh Jerahuni – Tumbuka Dance Company

Outstanding Female Dancer

Winner: Cheryl Mabaya – IYASA

Outstanding Choreographer

Winner: Ketan Nagar – The Caterpillar Dance by Kinkini – The Voice of Dance

Outstanding Dance Group

Winner : Dance Trust of Zimbabwe

LITERARY ARTS AWARDS

Outstanding First Creative Published Work

Winner: Shards written by Cynthia Marangwanda Published by Ko.Maseko Publishers

Outstanding Children’s Book

Winner: Around the Fire – Folktales from Zimbabwe edited by Raisdon Baya

Outstanding Fiction Book

Winner: Bhuku Risina Basa Nokuti Rakanyorwa Masikati written by Memory Chirere Published By Bhabhu Books

SPOKEN WORD AWARDS

Outstanding Comedian

Winner: Clive Chigubhu

Outstanding Poet

Winner: Likhwa Ncube

FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS

Outstanding Actor

Winner: Partwell Nazvo in Prophets of Doom

Outstanding Actress

Winner: Bianca Magwenzi in Tariro

Outstanding Screen Production – Full length film

Winner: Dust & Fortunes by Justice Chapwanya

Outstanding Screen Production – Short Film

Winner: My Dream by Sheunesu Moyo

Outstanding Screen Production (Television)

Winner: Mr Perfect by Gugulethu Ndlovu

Outstanding Music Video

Winner: Gudo Guru by Munyaradzi Nota ft. Changamire

MEDIA AWARDS

Outstanding Journalist Print

Winner: Garikai Mazara – Sunday Mail

Outstanding Journalist TV

Winner: Josephine Mugiyo – ZBC

Outstanding Journalist Radio

Winner: Tendai Chakanyuka – Power FM

Outstanding Online Media

Winner: Writers International Network (WIN)Zimbabwe

MUSIC AWARDS

Outstanding Female musician

Winner: Cynthia Mare

Outstanding Male musician

Winner: Sulumani Chimbetu aka Sulu

Outstanding Song

Winner: Mhai by Tocky Vibes

Outstanding Album

Winner: Mhai Singles Collection by Tocky Vibes

OTHER AWARDS

Promoter of the year

Winner: X-MO Squad

Arts Personality – Carl Joshua Ncube

Arts Service – Dr. Angeline S. Kamba

Life Achievement – Oliver Mtukudzi

People Choice – Uncle Ritchie