Zima ceremony on tonight

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Arts Reporter
The battle lines have been drawn, the red carpet is set and designers have been busy making celebrities, musicians, fashionistas, among others look good. Tonight all roads lead to the giant auditorium, the Harare International Conference Centre for the seventh edition of Zimbabwe Music Awards (Zima) which will see outstanding musicians getting their recognition.

This year’s edition runs under theme “Celebrating Leadership through Music”. The awards show each year seems to bring a lot of surprises from the winners, hosts, guests of honour to performers.

Bulawayo-based designers Gilmore Tee and his sidekick Mbo Mohacs are set to light the red carpet with their enthusiastic skills of fashion. The duo are not new to the fashion red carpet moments as at last year’s edition they turned heads with their matching designer African print style.

This year organisers have made sure that all nominees are dressed for the red carpet, which is running under the theme “Glitz and Glamour”.

Some of the major highlights not to be missed include:

The Hosts

This year’s edition will see glamorous goddess Candice Mwakalyelye and veteran broadcaster Tich Mataz as the hosts.

Candice, as her legion of fans call her, is excited about the event and said was ready.

“I am beyond excited to be hosting Zima7 this year. You can expect loads of fun and madness on stage as well as an exhibition of some of our local finest fashion brands. I will certainly love the red carpet because it affords me the opportunity to come close to the fans ahead of the event. I urge everyone to dress exceptionally, I might have something to award your efforts,” said the cheerful presenter.

Ghanaian musician Blakk Rasta and a number of local artistes will perform at the ceremony.

The Nominees
The Best Male Artist category is usually the most popular and this time it has Killer T, Jah Prayzah, Michael Mahendere, Trevor Dongo and Suluman Chimbetu as nominees. In the Best Female Artist category are contenders Varaidzo, Cynthia Mare, Janet Manyowa, Cindy Munyavi and Ammara Brown.

The Album of the Year category is another interesting part of the awards and this year nominated albums are “Jerusarema” (Jah Prayzah), “King of Glory” (Janet Manyowa), “Ngoma Ndaimba” (Killer T), “Kuregerera in Advance” (Takesure Zamar) and “Makanaka Jesu” (Pastor Mahendere).

Also of note is the Lifetime Achievement Award that will go to Jamaica’s late legend Bob Marley.

The After-Parties

A lot of Zima7 after parties have been lined up in a bid to accommodate everyone. The Volt, which is situated along Samora Machel Avenue, is hosting another after party soon after the awards show and the organisers said the event will run with the same theme from the red carpet, “Glitz and Glamour”.

In an interview with The Volt founder member Spencer Madziya said all is set for the show.

“All the nominees will have free entry to the after party just like what happens to any award show. They will also get the VIP treatment,” he said.

Meanwhile, Private Lounge happens to be another venue where Nama award winner Jah Prayzah and Suluman Chimbetu will share the stage, entertaining revellers. The duo are in the running tonight for the biggest gongs. Organisers of the gig said they are delighted with the show.

“This is more of an after party to the awards. We are urging fans to come in their numbers to celebrate with the musicians,” said an official.

Organisers of Zima have also hinted there will be a “Well Done Bob Concert”. The awards are set to honour President Mugabe for his leadership that has given many musicians a chance to showcase their talent freely.

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