National Arts Merit Awards 2025 in Zimbabwe: All the winners

Tamy Moyo was crowned Outstanding Female Musician, while in the Outstanding Male Musician category, Hillary Marufu, popularly known as Master H, claimed the top prize, edging out Freeman HKD and Saintfloew. His ability to consistently deliver chart-topping hits and his growing influence in the industry made him a worthy winner.

The Outstanding Breakthrough Musician award, formerly known as Outstanding Upcoming Musician, went to rising star Chillmaster. With his fresh sound and rapidly expanding fan base, Chillmaster’s recognition highlights his emergence as one of the most exciting new talents in Zimbabwean music.

The gospel group The Unveiled won Outstanding Music Group, beating out Joyfull Praise and Shower Power. Meanwhile, the Outstanding Song award went to Killer T for his hit single ‘Kana Ndanyura’, a track praised for its infectious rhythm and deep lyrical content, further solidifying the Zimdancehall artist’s place among the genre’s greats.

In the Outstanding Album category, rapper Voltz JT, took home the award for his project NOP Makoni. The album’s strong storytelling, thought-provoking lyrics, and top-tier production set it apart from the competition. The Outstanding Music Video award went to ‘Nhemamusasa’ by Bagga, directed by Leoy V.

One of the most anticipated awards of the evening, the People’s Choice Award, was won by Winky D, who continues to dominate the industry with his socially conscious lyrics and electrifying performances, reaffirming his status as a fan favourite.

Aside the music categories, winners were also drawn from various arts disciplines such as poet, theatre, visual arts and dance, among others.

Below is the full list of winners:

Music Awards

Outstanding Female Musician

• Thamsanqa Moyo aka Tamy Moyo
• Ashleigh Angel Moyo aka Shashl
• Janet Manyowa

Outstanding Male Musician

• Hillary Marufu aka Master H
• Emergy Chizanga aka Freeman HKD
• Tawanda Mambo aka Saintfloew

Outstanding Breakthrough Musician (formerly known as Outstanding Upcoming Musician)

• Gift Kudakwashe Hombarume aka Chillmaster
• Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa aka Nisha Ts
• Tania Seremwe aka Young Gemini

Outstanding Music Group

• The Unveiled
• Joyfull Praise
• Shower Power

Outstanding Song

• ‘Kana Ndanyura’ – Kelvin Kusikwenyu aka Killer T
• ‘Madiro’ – Kudakwashe Chapepa aka Kae Chaps
• ‘Gore Rino’ – Tembalami Tagwirei aka Tembalami ft. The Unveiled
• ‘Denga’ – Simbarashe Magado aka Hwinza
• ‘Gore remix’ – Isamel Whisky aka 216 Whisky ft. various artists

Outstanding Album

• NOP Makoni by Nkosilathi Sibiya aka Voltz JT
• Me vs Me by Emergy Chizanga aka Freeman HKD
• Trap yevafundisi by Tawanda Mambo aka Saintfloew

Outstanding Music Video

• ‘Nhemamusasa’ by Bagga Directed by Leoy V
• ‘Masahwira’ by Enzo Ishall Directed by AJV Entertainment
• ‘Machinda’ by Mulanation Directed by Taurai Zidya Dollar
• ‘Mvura’ by Bagga Directed by KMane

Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora

• Masimba Hwati (Visual Artist) based in Poland
• Annatoria Blessing Chitapa (Music) Based in UK
• Wiina Musamati (Theatre) based in the UK
• Ernest Ndlovu (Film and Television Actor) South Africa

Dance Awards

Outstanding Female Dancer

• Celine Madziva in Respect My Team
• Tanaka Machikicho in Into the light
• Ellain Ncube in Black Fever

Outstanding Male Dancer

• Tichaona “Hero’’ Chikara in Into the light
• Ngonidzashe Mudyariwa aka Alvin Ngonie in Ndichatarisa
• Terrence Kapesa in Respect My Dream

Outstanding Dance Group/Production

• Khaya Arts Productions in UniAfrica
• Salt ‘n’ Light – Into the light
• Afrikera Arts Trust in Ndichatarisa

Outstanding Choreographer

• Future Dube – Khaya Arts Productions
• Hillary Indie – Ellysium Magna
• Tichaona Chikara – Salt ‘n’ Light

Visual Arts Awards

Outstanding Male Visual Artist

• Moffat Takadiwa
• Ismail Hajee Mposa
• Gareth Nyandoro

Outstanding Female Visual Artist

• Portia Zvavahera
• Shamila Aasha
• Sinqobile Shamiso Dube

Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist

• Kundai Nathan
• Fungai Marima
• Nothando Chiwanga

Outstanding Exhibition

• 6th Venice Biennale by Various Artists curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa
• Our Father’s Inheritance Does not allow us to rest by Admire Kamudzengerere curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa
• A woman’s yoke by Sinqobile Shamiso Dube curated by Doris Kampira

Spoken Word Awards

Outstanding Poet

• Kudakwashe Rice
• Sithandazile Dube aka Um’Africakazi
• Mighty Mahembe aka General Fire Collosso

Outstanding Social Media Skits

• Panashe Gurende aka Moojaya
• Admire Mushambi aka Mama Vee
• Bashimane Mothusi Ndlovu aka Sikhobokhobo Madlela

Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian

• Mukudzei Majoni aka King Kandoro
• Nigel Maritinyu aka Nigel Slick Pastor
• Mbongeni Ignatius Ndlovu

Theatre Awards

Outstanding Actress

• Caroline Mashingaidze Zimbizi as Tete Sabina in Family Riots
• Chidochangu Tenga as Molly in Molly Street
• Munashe Goromonzi as girl’s mother and a girl in The Aftermath

Outstanding Actor

• Michael Kudakwashe as Sidney in Family Riots
• Ronald Madodana Sigeca as Factual Gumunyu in Promise
• Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi as Moris and multi characters in Haywire

Outstanding Theatrical Production

• The Aftermath
• Promise
• Family Riots

Outstanding Director

• Haywire by Everson Ndlovu
• Promise by Teddy Mangawa
• Aftermath by Nobert Makoche

Outstanding Playwright

• Promise by Leonard Matsa
• Molly Street by Peter Churu
• Family Riots by Gideon J Wabvuta

Literary Arts Awards

Outstanding First Published Work

• Zagamo the war within by Ray Mawerera, Published by Royalty Books
• Mafuta enguruve by Trust Mutekwa Published by Carnelian Heart Publishing Limited
• A father’s Agony and other stories by Takudzwa Chiwara Published by Royalty Books

Outstanding Children’s Book

• Chimbira nedzimwe ngano by Primrose Dzenga Published by Torch Bearers Trust Books
• The tale of Jackal and man by Joseph Matose
• Cartoonist by Hleko Vuma Published by Essential Publishing Company

Outstanding Fiction Book

• Weeping Tomato by Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure Published by Carnelian Hearts Limited
• The Full moon rises at sunset by Susan Hubert – Self Published
• Aziwelanga Phansi by Welshman Dube Published by Dawundethi Publishers

Outstanding Non-Fiction Book

• Entrepreneurial Success: Insights on Growing Business in a Fluid Economy by Divine
• Engage Zimbabwe: a Cultural Intelligence Handbook for Effective Diplomacy Volume I- Shona Culture by Lovemore and Chido Kuwana published by Kuwana Media and Culture Consultants (Pvt) Ltd
• Your guide to adulting by Rumbidzai Munyaradzi Published by Rumbidzai Munyaradzi
• Simbi-Ndhlukula PhD published by Divine Simbi-Ndlukula(PhD)

Film & Television Awards

Outstanding Actress

• Munashe Goromonzi as Tsitsi in The November Promise
• Chesesile Mpofu as Tabitha Dube in Inkaba
• Eunice Tava Chikoore as Mamoyo in Nhoroondo

Outstanding Actor

• Skanyiso Ngwenya as Rise in Rise
• John Mabuyane as Tembani Dube in Inkaba
• Tapiwa Mavindidze as Tawanda in Nhoroondo

Outstanding Screen Production (Television)

• The DNA Show by Tinashe Mugabe
• Inkaba by John Mabuyane
• The November Promise by Derby Beta

Outstanding Screen Production (Short film)

• Dollar by Tawanda Vombo
• Taxi by Jonathan Samukange
• Emuva – The battle of Emotions by Siphosethu Sibadze

Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length film)

• Nhoroondo by Vusa Hlatswayo
• See Me by Charlene Mangweni Furusa
• Neria by Trust Sayi

Special Awards

Promoter of the Year

• Event Hulks
• Nash TV
• Ngoma Nehosho

People’s Choice Award

• Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky D
• Nkosilathi Sibiya aka Voltz JT
• Dorcas Moyo
• Theophilus Chigumira aka Mai Kirifodhi
• Hillary Marufu aka Master H

Arts Service Award

• Prince Edward School

Arts Personality Award

• Partson Chimbodza (Chipas Promotions)

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Philip Svosve