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Arts Reporter

“There were strong entries across all categories this year and after lengthy deliberations by the panel, we have emerged with an exceptional list of contenders who have distinguished themselves remarkably over the past year and are deserving of recognition.”The Zimbabwe Achievers Awards last Friday released the nomination list and headline sponsors during the live announcement for the 6th Edition of the Awards event.Sponsors include Steward Bank, Econet Group and Chitoro among others.

Zimpapers radio station StarFM and leading newspaper The Herald have been nominated for Media Organisation of The Year.

ZAA vice chairman Zeb Manatse said he was thrilled about the partnerships and the journey ahead.

“We are delighted to welcome Ecocash, Chitoro and Steward Bank as the new headline sponsors for the 6th Edition of the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards.”

The trio’s involvement with ZAA proves its ongoing commitment to engaging and supporting the Zimbabwean community in the UK.

“We are honoured to have their support and we thank them for coming on board and being a part of the vision we have for ZAA,” he added.

Organisers of the high profile event also announced over 80 nominees across 18 categories at the press conference held at Amba Hotel Marble Arch in London.

Nominations opened at the beginning of December last year giving the public plenty of time to put forward those individuals or organisations they felt excelled in various ventures over the past year.

Voting runs from March 25 to April 29.

The votes would then be tabulated and verified by the ZAA panel of experts who would arduously assess all the candidates and match up their achievements with the set criteria before whittling the list down to this year’s winners.

ZAA panel chairperson Dr Martha Chinouya said she was delighted with the positive response hailing the public for its tremendous and well deserved nominations that were received for this year’s event.

“We would like to thank everyone who took the time to participate and nominate their peers. We received more than 2000 nominations, which is a huge increase on the previous year.”

She said: “There were strong entries across all categories this year and after lengthy deliberations by the panel, we have emerged with an exceptional list of contenders who have distinguished themselves remarkably over the past year and are deserving of recognition.”

The awards celebrate the accomplishments of individuals and organisations in fields that include business, sport, entertainment, arts and culture.

Profiles of this year’s nominees will be featured on zimachievers.com and will provide the public with information about the remarkable achievements of this years short-listed candidates.

The red carpet affair will be held on May 7, 2016 at the swanky five-star Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington.

Tickets are available for £65,95.

The current discount has been extended to March 27, and will then revert back to the standard price of £89,95.

ZAA-UK chief executive Peter Soko urged the public to take advantage of the current ticket discount before the offer ends.

“Our revised ticketing system has allowed our guests to choose their seats upon purchasing their tickets for the last two years, and this has proved to be a very popular and efficient system.”

He encouraged interested people to get their tickets and reserve the best seats in the house as they are limited.

Now in its 6th year, the awards have become one of the most prestigious and significant events within the UK Zimbabwean community calendar, bringing together business leaders and innovators from all sectors to celebrate the outstanding achievements of people of Zimbabwean heritage who reside in the UK.

Zimbabwe Achievers Awards 2016 Finalists

Company of the Year

Trish and Parker Estates

Nicola Holden Designs

MTM Accountants

Ambition

Couture and Tiara Bridal

Male Entrepreneur

Nkosinathi Zvimba

Peter Konoro

Jeff Madzingo

BelvinTawuya

Female Entrepreneur

Nicola Holden

Hanani Nqo

Tafadzwa Chigudu (TafaCakes)

Lindiwe Sachiti

Mary Majoni

Business Innovation Award

Chii App

WagonaMaths

Tafa Cakes

International Music Artist of the Year

McDee

Eska Mtungwazi

Freeman

Jah Prayzah

Tkay Maidza

International Gospel Artist of the Year

Obert Mazivisa ll

Tembalami

Mathias Mhere

FungisaiZvakavapanoMashavave

Rev T T Chivaviro

Author / Academic Award

Getrude Nyirenda —Author

Professor Chigara — Academic

Dr Julius Mugwagwa — Academic

BB Goldsmith — Author

Aaron Hess — Academic

Community Organisation of the Year

Makomborero

Zim Health

Zane UK

Globe Hand of Hope International

Zimbabwe Health Training Support

Community Champion of the Year

Witness Dzobo

Samukeliso Sam Tennyson

Julius Muzuva

Linda Satimburwa

Patience Ndebele-Omijie

Tourism Award

Imbalabala Zambezi Lodge (Safari)

Matthew C Matino (Zimguide)

Brian Kalunga (Msuna travel)

Radio Presenter / Club DJ of the Year

PelagiaMutake

Silvaa King

DJ Timeless

Big Nero

Empres Trisha

Fashion House/Designer of the Year

RAAAH

Leekhaya

Fashion by Marita

Messiah Couture

Tirivamwe

International Sports Personality of the Year

Walter Gahadza( Black Sniper)

David Pocock

TamukaMuchapondwa

Brendan Zibusiso Galloway

Grant Flower

Event of the Year

Summer Fiesta

Summer Splash

Zimbabwe Fashion Showcase

BIG Network Event

Ayendane Nyika Tour

People’s Choice

Kevin Ncube

Xavier O’fishal

Sakhile Miss Classique

DJ Timeless

Nyasha Duri

Personality of the Year

Senamiso Mathobela

Kevin Ncube

Xavier O’fishal

Chipo Kureya

Memory Savanhu

Media Organisation of the Year

StarFM — Radio

ZiFM — Radio

The Daily News

The Herald

NewsDay Zimbabwe

Young Achievers Award

Bridget Okhioigbe

Korrine Sky

Samuel Mangoro

Nicole Mujuru

Sakhile Classique