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Yeukai Karengezeka Entertainment Reporter
Preparations for the 13th edition of National Arts Merit Awards to be held at Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo on February 15 are at an advanced stage. National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Communications and Marketing Officer, Cathrine Mthombeni said NAMA this year would be more focused on national pride and heritage.

“NAMA’s theme this year is ‘Unite, Excite and Educate Zimbabwe on its Proud Heritage and Diversity through Arts and Culture”.

“This year’s edition will see a more detailed approach on national pride and heritage, embracing the essence and spirit of what it means to be proud Zimbabweans, showcasing art talent from across the country.

“The event will celebrate the artistry that would have been shown by the various artistes in distinct categories through their excellent works,” she said.

“Apart from people paying tribute to the masters of the arts and culture industry, the awards ceremony have a series of activities that will celebrate the diverse cultures that promote and develop positive national cultural identity, values of unhu/ubuntu, patriotism and pan-Africanism.”

The event will be a reflection of the diversity of cultures in Zimbabwe that are a resemblance of the country’s intrinsic values and norms.

Different ways of lives will be portrayed through the excelling works that were created from December 1, 2012 to November 30, 2013
“The education aspect that is fundamental in arts creation will be explored through the NAMA content.

“This also underscores the notion that arts are not only for entertainment purposes but are informative as well as educative through their various forms,” she said.

Some of the categories include music, literary, dance, visual, film and television, theatre, media and spoken word.