2026 National Arts Merit Awards in Zim: All the nominees

The Outstanding Female Musician category features Sharon Manyonganise Cherayi, Nisha Ts, and Shashl. In the Outstanding Male Musician category, nominees include gospel artist Minister Michael Mahendere, Freeman HKD, and Jah Prayzah.

Three emerging acts, Junior Spragga, Atenda Chinx and Shone, will compete in the Outstanding Breakthrough Musician category, while The Redeemed Family, VeRutendo and Joyful Praise are shortlisted for Outstanding Music Group.

Songwriting and recorded output are also highlighted. The Outstanding Song category includes ‘Ruzhowa’ by Jah Prayzah, ‘Admire Kadembo’ by Nisha Ts, and ‘Too Much’ by Nutty O. Albums nominated for Outstanding Album are The Notebook by Freeman HKD, Ndini Mukudzeyi by Jah Prayzah, and Gender iih (The Woman King) by Nisha Ts.

In the Outstanding Music Video category, ‘Kuno’ by Jah Prayzah, ‘Fake Love’ by Winky D, and ‘Nguva NdeyaMwari’ by Dorcas Moyo have been shortlisted.

Beyond competitive categories, several special music-related awards will be presented. The Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora category includes DJ Nitefreak, Manluckerz and Chrispen Nyathi, reflecting Zimbabwean creative activity beyond the country’s borders. Promoter of the Year nominees include Stratosphere Events, Odyssey Entertainment and Ngoma Nehosho, each recognised for their role in staging major music events.

The People’s Choice Award, determined by public participation, features Prince Chigwida, Comic Elder, Winky D, Jah Prayzah and Ritz Mcleish. The nominees also include artists from various arts disciplines including theatre, dance, literature and visual art.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Music Awards

Outstanding Female Musician

• Sharon Manyonganise Cherayi
• Nisha Ts
• Shashl

Outstanding Male Musician

• Minister Michael Mahendere
• Freeman HKD
• Jah Prayzah

Outstanding Breakthrough Musician

• Junior Spragga
• Atenda Chinx
• Shone

Outstanding Music Group

• The Redeemed Family
• VeRutendo
• Joyful Praise

Outstanding Song

• ‘Ruzhowa’ – Jah Prayzah
• ‘Admire Kadembo’ – Nisha Ts
• ‘Too Much’ – Nutty O

Outstanding Album

• The Notebook – Freeman HKD
• Ndini Mukudzeyi – Jah Prayzah
• Gender iih (The Woman King) – Anisha Tashinga
• Shonhiwa – Nisha Ts

Outstanding Music Video

• ‘Kuno’ – Jah Prayzah
• ‘Fake Love’ – Winky D
• ‘Nguva NdeyaMwari’ – Dorcas Moyo

Visual Arts

Outstanding Female Visual Artist

• Amanda Shingirai Mushate – Chimoro neHukoshwa Part 1
• Sabina Mutsvati – Ndishonongoreiwo
• Shamila Aasha – Healing Alchemy

Outstanding Male Visual Artist

• Confidence Zinyeka – Intimate conversation
• Pardon Mapondera – Dotipaiwo Mwenje
• Tinotenda Chivhinge – Nonsense Hit Song

Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist

• Claire Munjoma – Shanduko
• Tadiwanashe Joel Mafuta – Dismas
• Crystal Vimbainashe Beseni – Maps of everything 

Outstanding Exhibition

• Ndishonongoreyiwo (Solo Exhibition) – Sabina Mutsvati, Curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa
• Perfection is not always reality (Solo Exhibition) – Tinotenda Chivhinge, curated by Doris Kamupira
• CHEUKA Harare Art Fair curated – Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe

Theatre Awards

Outstanding Actor

• Cadrick Msongelwa as Squealer/StoryTeller/Mr. Jones in Zi Animal Farm
• Elroy Takunda Musiiwa as Benjamin/Storyteller One in Zi Animal Farm
• Ronald Sigeca as Prophet in These Humans are Sick

Outstanding Actress

• Chidochashe Joanne Tenga as Bope in Can We Talk?
• Tsungirirai Chenjerai as Snowball/Clover/Storyteller in Zi Animal Farm
• Thandolwenkosi Nkiwane as Multi-characters in Ipi Ntombi

Outstanding Theatrical Production

• In search of a king by Celebration Church
• Can we talk by Almasi Collaborative Arts
• Zi Animal farm by Savanna Trust

Outstanding Director

• Daniel Dueschle – In search of a king
• Leonard Matsa – Can We Talk?
• Sandra Braddock – Ipi Ntombi

Outstanding Playwright

• Tatenda Mutyambizi – These Humans Are Sick
• Batsirai Chigama – Can We Talk?

Literary Awards

Outstanding Fiction Book

• Iluba lika ntunjambila – Polite Sibanda Published by Pre-dawn Publishers
• My Affair with Misfortune – Sipho Mpofu Published by Elane Publishing Consultancy
• The Toppling – Cynthia Rumbidzai Marangwanda Published by Carnelian Heart Publishing Ltd

Outstanding Non-Fiction Book

• Gonan'ombe Retsika Namararamiro eChivanhu –y Morden Tavarwisa Published by Miamuty
• Kurasika MuAfurika – Rumbidzai Caroline Kahari Published by Essential Books Publishing Company
• The Essentials to Faithful Living – Michael H. Nyahwera Published by Beyond Today

Outstanding Children’s Book

• Mukanyawashe's Big Adventure – Gerald Shorayi Published by Essential Books Publishing Company
• The adventures of Dafi and Rize – Wadzanai Tadhuvana by Kunda kids Publishers
• The old river woman – Shakemore Dirani Published by Essential Books Publishing company

Outstanding First Published Work

• Hanzi Huchi Hwenduri, Kubva Mukatikati – Ushehwedu Kufakurinani Published by Carnelian Heart Publishing Limited
• The Killer Pastor – Entourade Usayi Published by Soar Publishers
• Zvamuri Ndaimbova Zvandiri Muchava – Josiah Muchada Published by Sahara Publishers

Film & Television Awards

Outstanding Actor

• Calvin Madula as Stan “SK” Khumalo in High School Diaries
• Charles Kamara as Mike in Nhai Maiguru
• Leroy Siyafa as James in God Sleeps on Sundays

Outstanding Actress

• Wizzy Mangoma as Chirongoma in God Sleeps on Sundays
• Charity Dlodlo as Maria in Forget Me Not
• Natasha Dlamini as Beauty in Totem

Outstanding Screen Production (Television)

• High School Diaries – John Mabuyane
• Magweja – Dexter Fundire
• Love Across the Ocean – Willy Makumire Lilly

Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)

• A Future Untold – Prosper Kunyetu
• God Sleeps on Sundays – Naishe Nyamubaya
• Totem – Nicole Panashe Dzenga

Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length)

• Loved Out – Tendai Nyeke
• Dilemma – Joe Njagu
• Mwana Wangu – Nakai Beauty Tsuro

Dance Awards

• Outstanding Dance Group/Production
• Salt 'n' Light Dance Company in Still Salty
• Diamond Girls in Unseen Stars
• MnM Dance Factory in African Sunrise

Outstanding Female Dancer

• Mandisa Maseko aka Storm zw in The Crown Project
• Celine Madziva in Celine’s work
• Lisa Tanaka Magwenzi aka Lissa Tanaka in Lissa Tanaka

Outstanding Male Dancer

• Prince Mbisa aka Amazing Prince in The Rise of Amazing Prince
• Lawrence Sirewo aka Flexxy Smith in Big Brother Mzansi
• Shadreck Moyo aka Shaddy Stiffler in The Cowboys

Outstanding Choreographer

• Tanaka Machikicho in Diamond Girls
• Celine Madzivai in Celine
• Terrence Kapesa in Salt & Light Dance Company

Spoken Word Awards

Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian

• Frank Chirisa
• Mbongeni Ignatious
• Nigel Maritinyu aka Nijo the Slick Pastor

Outstanding Poet

• Obert Dube
• Sithandazile Dube
• Thaluso Moyo aka Thaluso the Poet

Fashion Awards

Outstanding Male Designer

• Rangarirai Kenias – Raengah
• Brightman Dlamini – Tocar Narrations
• Ishmael Tsakatsa – Zargue’sia

Outstanding Female Fashion Designer

• Nomakhosazana Khanyile Ncube – A Tribe Called Zimbabwe
• Danayi Madondo – Haus of Stone
• Yolanda Ngwenya – Bakhar

Outstanding Contributor to the Fashion Industry

• Amanda Mutangadura – AM Model Management
• Priscilla Chigariro – Zimbabwe Fashion Week
• Joyce Chimanye – ZUVVA

Digital Arts Awards

Outstanding Female Social Media Content Creator

• Blessing Nashe – Nashe the Plug
• Gracia Bvute – Pot Tradition
• Tariro Sarudzai Mharapara – Butterphly

Outstanding Male Social Media Content Creator

• Marvellous Ngongoro –- African Finder
• Kelvin Biriot
• Prince Sivalo Mahlangu – Magriza Made me cook

Outstanding Podcast

• Zigo Podcast
• Pass and Move Podcast
• The Ollah 7 Podcast

Outstanding Social Media Skits

• Comic Elder
• Tokoloshi
• Thugga Thugga

Special Awards

Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora

• DJ Nitefreak– Music Producer/DJ (France & Spain)
• Manluckerz – Musician (Sweden)
• Chrispen Nyathi – Film Actor (South Africa)

Promoter of the Year

• Stratosphere Events (Fiesta Fiesta Zimbabwe) Owned by Charles Ayisa
• Odyssey Entertainment (Kadoma Music Festival) Owned by Prince Mharadze
• Ngoma Nehosho (Jacaranda Music Festival) Owned by Walter Wanyanya

People’s Choice Award

• Prince Chigwida
• Comic Elder
• Winky D
• Jah Prayzah
• Ritz Mcleish