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Reality show star Munya Chidzonga (left) presents an award to Audius Mtawarira at the ZIMA

Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
TV ColumnI had the pleasure of watching the BET Awards and the Soul Train Awards on DStv. I noticed how these awards ceremonies have passed the stage where fans always query about who was supposed to win and who didn’t deserve to win.

In other words, the awards criteria and selection have been perfected over the years. Whoever wins at these awards really deserves it and there are no doubts why they would have won.

There seems to be a yardstick whereby if an artiste does not make the grade they don’t force it. What the organisers do is to find only those who qualify for the category or genre.

More importantly, artistes do not have to submit their albums or videos for them to be considered. It is the job of the jury that selects the nominees and then pick the ultimate winner.

Of course, when it comes to glitz and glamour, both the BET and the Soul Train Awards know how to dazzle.

During the Soul Train Awards Keith Sweat, who is a favourite of many received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his colourful career as an R’n’B star. Everybody seemed content that Keith Sweat won the award for his music which they termed “baby making music” on the show.

And at the BET awards, Dione Warwick was also given the Special Award with Ron Isley of the Isley Brothers performing some of her hits songs.

The bright lights on stage, the spark and the ambience all add excitement to the show. And nominees as well as guests will be dressed to the nines.

I guess it is an honour to be part of such events where red carpet is rolled out to guests and then the after-party where drinks will be on the house.

And now compared to the Zimbabwe scene, you find that we are still backward. Never mind the flashing lights and excellent stage, NO!

The issue is we always query the winners. Who was supposed to win; who the audience preferred and who the judges pick are worlds apart. In fact sometimes you have to ask if the organisers and the judges live in the same world.

It was quite a good show at the recent ZIMAs but something was amiss.

The problem was they took us eight years back instead of moving forward. Just because the ZIMAs are the biggest show in music should also reflect on who wins at such as event.

It appears the organisers were more focused on the red carpet, the limousines and the setting of the show rather than the adjudication process. A process which either breaks or makes any awards show. In the case of the ZIMAs, the adjudication was less than convincing and it killed the vibe of the show. How on earth did Jah Prayzah’s “Tsviriyo” album find its way onto the nominees’ list? And how could the judges miss Pah Chihera’s album? Who were the judges and are they able to prove the popularity of the UFIC albums?

It was unbelievable that the UFIC would win ahead of ZimPraise Choir whom we understand did not submit their albums for consideration.

For starters, it was shocking that the ZIMAs started the way they did. A performance by a dance group at music awards show. Were there no musicians willing to perform?

Secondly, the organisers should have made sure the equipment was top notch and avoid being embarrassed when the pre-recorded voice overs failed to play during the show.

Instead of using the drum roll, the organisers were supposed to play music by the nominees so that the audience would know which songs were being judged.

The impression viewers got was that things didn’t go according to plan. And everybody must have panicked including the presenters whose delivery was marred by ever present technical glitches.

It was a pity that ZIMA’s month long delay seems to not have been spent in smoothening the final product to a seamless finish.

The house that they wanted to present Cde Chinx as part of the Chairman’s Awards was still not complete. But at least there are no doubts that Cde Chinx deserved such an award for the important role he played in rallying the masses to the flag during an important epoch of our history.

Until next week remember this is television and its real.

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