Zim GBC News | Arts & Entertainment
HARARE – The nation’s creative elite gathered at the Harare International Conference Centre on Saturday evening for the 2026 National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA), where veteran dancehall superstar Wallace Chirumiko, popularly known as Winky D, walked away with the coveted People’s Choice Award in a night that celebrated the best of Zimbabwean creativity .
The event, which recognises outstanding achievement across visual arts, theatre, literature, film, music, and digital media, saw stiff competition across 34 categories, with musicians Mukudzeyi Mukombe (Jah Prayzah) and Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa (Nisha Ts) emerging as multiple winners .
Music Category Highlights
Jah Prayzah continued his dominance in the music scene, winning Outstanding Male Musician and taking home the Outstanding Album award for “Ndini Mukudzeyi.” His track “Ruzhowa” was also nominated for Outstanding Song .
Nisha Ts enjoyed a breakthrough evening, clinching Outstanding Female Musician while her album “Gender iih (The Woman King)” earned a nomination in the Outstanding Album category .
The Outstanding Song award went to Nutty O for his hit track “Too Much,” beating stiff competition from Jah Prayzah’s “Ruzhowa” and Nisha Ts’ “Admire Kadembo.”
Atenda Chingaira, known as Atenda Chinx, was named Outstanding Breakthrough Musician, while the Joyfull Praise Choir took home Outstanding Music Group honours.
Winky D Wins People’s Heart
The People’s Choice Award, voted for by the public, saw Winky D triumph over fellow nominees Prince Chigwida, Comic Elder, Jah Prayzah, and Ritz Mcleish. The award is a testament to the enduring popularity of the “Big Man” who has maintained a strong connection with fans throughout his career.
Theatre and Film Triumphs
In theatre, Zi Animal Farm proved to be a critical success, with Cadrick Msongelwa winning Outstanding Actor for his portrayal of Squealer/StoryTeller/Mr Jones. The production, directed by Savanna Trust, earned multiple nominations throughout the evening .
Leonard Matsa took home the Outstanding Director award for “Can We Talk?”, while Tatenda Mutyambizi won Outstanding Playwright for “These Humans Are Sick.”
The film category saw Leroy Siyafa win Outstanding Actor for his role as James in “God Sleeps on Sundays,” while Charity Dlodlo claimed Outstanding Actress for her performance in “Forget Me Not.” The same film, “God Sleeps on Sundays” directed by Naishe Nyamubaya, also won Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film) .
Visual Arts Excellence
Sabina Mutsvati was crowned Outstanding Female Visual Artist for her work “Ndishonongoreiwo,” which also earned a nomination for Outstanding Exhibition. Pardon Mapondera took Outstanding Male Visual Artist honours for “Dotipaiwo Mwenje,” while Tadiwanashe Joel Mafuta won Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist for “Dismas.”
The CHEUKA Harare Art Fair, curated by Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe, won Outstanding Exhibition .
Literary Achievement
Sipho Mpofu’s “My Affair with Misfortune,” published by Elane Publishing Consultancy, won Outstanding Fiction Book. Morden Tavarwisa claimed Outstanding Non-Fiction Book for “Gonan’ombe Retsika NamararamiroeChivanhu,” published by Miamuty .
Gerald Shorayi’s “Mukanyawashe’s Big Adventure” won Outstanding Children’s Book, while Entrodge Usayi’s “The Killer Pastor” was named Outstanding First Published Work .
Digital Age Recognition
The rapidly growing digital arts category saw Gracia Bvute, known as Pot Tradition, win Outstanding Female Social Media Content Creator, while Marvellous Nyongoro of African Finder took Outstanding Male Social Media Content Creator .
The Ollah 7 Podcast won Outstanding Podcast, and Sean Khoza of Code Red Studios won Outstanding Social Media Skits for “Tokoloshi.”
Special Recognition
Plot Mhako was honoured as Outstanding Arts Journalist/Media House, while Odyssey Entertainment, owned by Prince Mharadze, took Promoter of the Year for the Kadoma Music Festival .
The Arts Personality Award went to Nkululeko Innocent Dube, while Delta Beverages received the Arts Service Award for their Chibuku brand’s support of the arts .
The Lifetime Achievement Award was posthumously awarded to Stephen Chigorimbo, recognising his enduring contribution to Zimbabwean arts and culture .
Full List of Winners
Visual Arts
· Outstanding Female Visual Artist: Sabina Mutsvati — Ndishonongoreiwo
· Outstanding Male Visual Artist: Pardon Mapondera — Dotipaiwo Mwenje
· Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist: Tadiwanashe Joel Mafuta — Dismas
· Outstanding Exhibition: CHEUKA Harare Art Fair curated by Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe
Theatre Awards
· Outstanding Actor: Cadrick Msongelwa as Squealer/StoryTeller/Mr Jones in Zi Animal Farm
· Outstanding Actress: Thandolwenkosi Nkiwane as Multi-characters in Ipi Ntombi
· Outstanding Theatrical Production: In search of a king by Daniel Deuschle and Benjamin Deuschle (Celebration Church)
· Outstanding Director: Leonard Matsa — Can We Talk?
· Outstanding Playwright: Tatenda Mutyambizi — These Humans Are Sick
Literary Awards
· Outstanding Fiction Book: My Affair with Misfortune by Sipho Mpofu
· Outstanding Non-Fiction Book: Gonan’ombe Retsika NamararamiroeChivanhu by Morden Tavarwisa
· Outstanding Children’s Book: Mukanyawashe’s Big Adventure by Gerald Shorayi
· Outstanding First Published Work: The Killer Pastor by Entrodge Usayi
Film & Television Awards
· Outstanding Actor: Leroy Siyafa as James in God Sleeps on Sundays
· Outstanding Actress: Charity Dlodlo as Maria in Forget Me Not
· Outstanding Music Video: Fake Love by Winky D Directed by Tawanda Sibotshiwe aka Jusa Dementor
· Outstanding Screen Production (Television): Magweja by Dexter Fundire
· Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film): God Sleeps on Sundays by Naishe Nyamubaya
· Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length): Dilemma by Joe Njagu
Dance Awards
· Outstanding Dance Group/Production: Unseen Stars in Diamond Girls
· Outstanding Female Dancer: Celine Madziva in Celine’s work
· Outstanding Male Dancer: Prince Mbisa aka Amazing Prince in The Rise of Amazing Prince
· Outstanding Choreographer: Tanaka Machikicho in Diamond Girls
Spoken Word Awards
· Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian: Nigel Maritinyu aka Nijo the Slick Pastor
· Outstanding Poet: Sithandazile Dube
Music Awards
· Outstanding Female Musician: Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa aka Nisha Ts
· Outstanding Male Musician: Mukudzeyi Mukombe aka Jah Prayzah
· Outstanding Breakthrough Musician: Atenda Chingaira aka Atenda Chinx
· Outstanding Music Group: Joyfull Praise Choir
· Outstanding Song: Too Much by Carrington S Chiwadza aka Nutty O
· Outstanding Album: Ndini Mukudzeyi by Mukudzeyi Mukombe aka Jah Prayzah
Fashion Awards
· Outstanding Male Designer: Ishmael Tsakatsa — Zargue’sia
· Outstanding Female Fashion Designer: Danayi Madondo — Haus of Stone
· Outstanding Contributor to the Fashion Industry: Joyce Chimanye — ZUVVA
Digital Arts Awards
· Outstanding Female Social Media Content Creator: Gracia Bvute — Pot Tradition
· Outstanding Male Social Media Content Creator: Marvellous Nyongoro — African Finder
· Outstanding Podcast: The Ollah 7 Podcast
· Outstanding Social Media Skits: Sean Khoza aka Code Red Studios – Tokoloshi
Special Awards
· Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora: Bhekinkosi Mabhena aka DJ Nitefreak
· Outstanding Arts Journalist/Media House: Plot Mhako
· Promoter of the Year: Odyssey Entertainment (Kadoma Music Festival) Owned by Prince Mharadze
· Arts Personality Award: Nkululeko Innocent Dube
· Arts Service Award: Delta Beverages — Chibuku
· Lifetime Achievement Award: Stephen Chigorimbo
· People’s Choice Award: Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky D
Follow Zim GBC News for more entertainment updates:
- X (Twitter): @ZimGbc
- Instagram: @ZimGBCNews
- TikTok: @ZimGBCNews_01
- Facebook: Zim GBC News
- YouTube: Zim GBC News
Get real-time alerts on WhatsApp:
+263 773 820 323
For in-depth coverage, visit our website: www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
Zim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective©2026