{"id":12592,"date":"2026-03-03T09:52:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T09:52:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/?p=12592"},"modified":"2026-03-03T09:52:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T09:52:07","slug":"winky-d-wins-peoples-choice-as-jah-prayzah-nisha-ts-shine-at-nama-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/?p=12592","title":{"rendered":"Winky D Wins People’s Choice as Jah Prayzah, Nisha Ts Shine at NAMA 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


Zim GBC News | Arts & Entertainment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HARARE \u2013 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 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music Category Highlights<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Atenda Chingaira, known as Atenda Chinx, was named Outstanding Breakthrough Musician, while the Joyfull Praise Choir took home Outstanding Music Group honours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winky D Wins People’s Heart<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theatre and Film Triumphs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leonard Matsa took home the Outstanding Director award for “Can We Talk?”, while Tatenda Mutyambizi won Outstanding Playwright for “These Humans Are Sick.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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) .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visual Arts Excellence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CHEUKA Harare Art Fair, curated by Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe, won Outstanding Exhibition .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Literary Achievement<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital Age Recognition<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ollah 7 Podcast won Outstanding Podcast, and Sean Khoza of Code Red Studios won Outstanding Social Media Skits for “Tokoloshi.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special Recognition<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lifetime Achievement Award was posthumously awarded to Stephen Chigorimbo, recognising his enduring contribution to Zimbabwean arts and culture .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full List of Winners<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visual Arts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Outstanding Female Visual Artist: Sabina Mutsvati \u2014 Ndishonongoreiwo
\u00b7 Outstanding Male Visual Artist: Pardon Mapondera \u2014 Dotipaiwo Mwenje
\u00b7 Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist: Tadiwanashe Joel Mafuta \u2014 Dismas
\u00b7 Outstanding Exhibition: CHEUKA Harare Art Fair curated by Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theatre Awards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Outstanding Actor: Cadrick Msongelwa as Squealer\/StoryTeller\/Mr Jones in Zi Animal Farm
\u00b7 Outstanding Actress: Thandolwenkosi Nkiwane as Multi-characters in Ipi Ntombi
\u00b7 Outstanding Theatrical Production: In search of a king by Daniel Deuschle and Benjamin Deuschle (Celebration Church)
\u00b7 Outstanding Director: Leonard Matsa \u2014 Can We Talk?
\u00b7 Outstanding Playwright: Tatenda Mutyambizi \u2014 These Humans Are Sick<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Literary Awards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Outstanding Fiction Book: My Affair with Misfortune by Sipho Mpofu
\u00b7 Outstanding Non-Fiction Book: Gonan’ombe Retsika NamararamiroeChivanhu by Morden Tavarwisa
\u00b7 Outstanding Children’s Book: Mukanyawashe’s Big Adventure by Gerald Shorayi
\u00b7 Outstanding First Published Work: The Killer Pastor by Entrodge Usayi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Film & Television Awards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Outstanding Actor: Leroy Siyafa as James in God Sleeps on Sundays
\u00b7 Outstanding Actress: Charity Dlodlo as Maria in Forget Me Not
\u00b7 Outstanding Music Video: Fake Love by Winky D Directed by Tawanda Sibotshiwe aka Jusa Dementor
\u00b7 Outstanding Screen Production (Television): Magweja by Dexter Fundire
\u00b7 Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film): God Sleeps on Sundays by Naishe Nyamubaya
\u00b7 Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length): Dilemma by Joe Njagu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dance Awards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Outstanding Dance Group\/Production: Unseen Stars in Diamond Girls
\u00b7 Outstanding Female Dancer: Celine Madziva in Celine’s work
\u00b7 Outstanding Male Dancer: Prince Mbisa aka Amazing Prince in The Rise of Amazing Prince
\u00b7 Outstanding Choreographer: Tanaka Machikicho in Diamond Girls<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spoken Word Awards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian: Nigel Maritinyu aka Nijo the Slick Pastor
\u00b7 Outstanding Poet: Sithandazile Dube<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music Awards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Outstanding Female Musician: Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa aka Nisha Ts
\u00b7 Outstanding Male Musician: Mukudzeyi Mukombe aka Jah Prayzah
\u00b7 Outstanding Breakthrough Musician: Atenda Chingaira aka Atenda Chinx
\u00b7 Outstanding Music Group: Joyfull Praise Choir
\u00b7 Outstanding Song: Too Much by Carrington S Chiwadza aka Nutty O
\u00b7 Outstanding Album: Ndini Mukudzeyi by Mukudzeyi Mukombe aka Jah Prayzah<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fashion Awards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Outstanding Male Designer: Ishmael Tsakatsa \u2014 Zargue’sia
\u00b7 Outstanding Female Fashion Designer: Danayi Madondo \u2014 Haus of Stone
\u00b7 Outstanding Contributor to the Fashion Industry: Joyce Chimanye \u2014 ZUVVA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital Arts Awards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Outstanding Female Social Media Content Creator: Gracia Bvute \u2014 Pot Tradition
\u00b7 Outstanding Male Social Media Content Creator: Marvellous Nyongoro \u2014 African Finder
\u00b7 Outstanding Podcast: The Ollah 7 Podcast
\u00b7 Outstanding Social Media Skits: Sean Khoza aka Code Red Studios \u2013 Tokoloshi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special Awards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora: Bhekinkosi Mabhena aka DJ Nitefreak
\u00b7 Outstanding Arts Journalist\/Media House: Plot Mhako
\u00b7 Promoter of the Year: Odyssey Entertainment (Kadoma Music Festival) Owned by Prince Mharadze
\u00b7 Arts Personality Award: Nkululeko Innocent Dube
\u00b7 Arts Service Award: Delta Beverages \u2014 Chibuku
\u00b7 Lifetime Achievement Award: Stephen Chigorimbo
\u00b7 People’s Choice Award: Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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