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Cynthia Mare displays one of her three ZIMA awards

Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
Talented songstress Cynthia Mare was the best winner of the night at the Zimbabwe Music Awards on Wednesday when she scooped the most awards at the ceremony at Harare International Conference Centre.
Mare emerged winner in the categories she had been nominated for – Best Female, Best Single and Best Alternative Album – beating contenders like Selmor Mtukudzi, Edith WeUtonga and Winky D.

The “Zuva Rimwe” singer, who was looking heavier than usual, credited the success to the inspiration she drew upon the untimely death of her mother.

The next best artistes were Jah Prayzah who got Best Traditional Music and Album of the Year, Soul Jah Love (Best Dancehall Music and Best Male Artiste), Sanii Makhalima (Best Collaboration and Best Producer) as well as UFIC Choir (Best Group and Contemporary Choral Music).

The highlight of the night, however, was the honorary award for veteran singer Dickson Chingaira popularly known as Cde Chinx.

In a special surprise presentation, the liberation musician was handed keys to a four-bedroomed house that is currently under construction by the Zima.

Other victors on the night that was marked by surprises were Audius Mtawarira (Best RnB and Soul) who was ecstatic about finally getting acknowledged on the local scene.

Just like Mokoomba (Best International Achiever), he said being honoured in Zimbabwe was more important than any other place in the world.

New gong collectors also came in the form of Kwekwe-based deejay Stavo (Best Video), who has been making waves with brilliant videos and collaborations on the regional scene, and Tehn Diamond (Best Hiphop Music).

Technical challenges
Although the Zimbabwe Music awards might have made an impression with the glitz, the event exposed a number of loose ends that need improvement.

The red carpet was a brilliant idea but more could have been done to ensure there was order on it.

Fans could be seen disrupting movement of artiste who were being dropped off by fancy limos.

There was not much security to slow down the fans who would pounce on artistes for pictures as they walked the red carpet.

The technical department had challenges and at the beginning of the show there was no sound on the videos that were shown.

This problem caused viewers to miss out on the back stage interviews, including that of special guest Cde Chinx.

Even Cynthia Mare’s performance was not spared as she haggled with the sound engineers in full view of the audience.

At certain intervals, the presenters were taking long to return to the stage.

Highlights of the night
Comedian, Clive Chigubhu emerged the favourite presenter as he used his comical skills to elevate the spirits of the diverse audience.

There was diversity in terms of performances with hip hop, Zimdancehall and Afro fusion artistes being given fair chances to shine.

Cynthia Mare made the most sensational performance of the night with an acoustic version of her song “Zuva Rimwe”.

Tehn Diamond made the sweetest acceptance speech, an about turn from his bad boy rapper image he portrays.

He thanked his mother for supporting his music career.

Soul Jah Love was the most popular winner of the night, the only artiste who received a standing ovation when he was called out as the winner.

The Africa Revenge reunion was worth the long wait as the artistes serenaded the small crowd that stayed for their performance at the end of the show.

Chinoz steals the show, again
One can always trust Buhera South Member of Parliament Joseph “Chinoz” Chinotimba to steal the show any time and anywhere just by showing up at the event.

Proceedings came to a standstill when the legislator walked in just as Sabastian Magacha was accepting Leonard Zhakata’s Song of the Year award.

Chinoz who is always in a jovial mood received a standing ovation with the crowd cheering wildly as he was making his way to his seat. It took a while before the crowd settled and even two hours later people could be seen approaching the legislator for small talk and pictures which he gladly agreed on.

True to his “brand”, Chinoz seized the opportunity to throw one of his many jokes when he was handed the mic by hostess Ruveneko Parirenyatwa.