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Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi (left), his deputy Annastacia Ndhlovu (third left) applaud Ghanaian reggae artiste Blakk Rasta (second left) and his band members

Sophia Chese – Arts Correspondent

Government will next year assist organisers of the Zimbabwe Music Awards so that the event is “bigger and better”.Speaking after hosting Ghanaian reggae artiste Blakk Rasta at his offices yesterday, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi hailed the organisers of the just ended Zimbabwe Music Awards for a job well done.“I want to assure the organisers that we are going to assist you in your preparations for the next awards ceremony so that we have a bigger and better event next year,” he said.

Minister Mzembi urged Zimbabweans to appreciate their own awards ceremonies.

“I would like to congratulate the Zima chairman Joseph Nyadzayo and his team for successfully holding this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe Music Awards.

“It is not easy looking at the current economic condition of our country but they managed to sail through.

‘‘Let me take this opportunity to say to you, Nyadzayo and your team, that do not be distracted by the negative talk in the media. Every award ceremony has its hiccups but what is important is to celebrate each other. That is what you have done, well done,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister Mzembi thanked the Ghanaian reggae sensation for coming all the way from his homeland to celebrate President Mugabe’s life.

“We want to thank you Blakk Rasta for coming to Zimbabwe to celebrate the life of an icon, our President with us, it means a lot,” he said.

He also announced that Blakk Rasta would be performing at this year’s Harare International Carnival.

“I would also like to say that Blakk Rasta will be back in the country in October for our carnival for he is now our tourism ambassador in Ghana,” he said.

Blakk Rasta thanked Zima and the minister for the opportunity accorded him to perform and said he would come back to perform again.

He left the country yesterday.