Zim: NAMAs Legends Awards honour 40 creatives

Unlike the traditional NAMAs, recipients of the NAMAs Legends Awards were selected by a jury representing various arts associations in Zimbabwe. The winners were drawn from music, dance, poetry, drama/theatre, visual arts, film and literature. 

The event was held virtually under the theme, Our Legacy, Our Pride and follows the postponement of the competitive 20th NAMAs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Artists honoured in the music category included Albert Nyathi, Alick Macheso, Lovemore Majaivana, Fradreck Mujuru, Zex Manatsa, Nicholas Zacharia, Stella Chiweshe, Thomas Mapfumo and Bothwell Nyamhondera.

“These legends have, most importantly, also contributed beyond just their artworks but most have ventured into mentoring and skills development,” Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry said during the awards ceremony. “This has had a ripple effect as is seen in the transfer of their skills and technical knowledge to upcoming and established artists who not only inherit the craft and genius of the living legends but are also becoming potential vectors of transmitting their experiences to future generations without end.”

Below is the full list of creatives who were honoured at the NAMAs Legends Awards:

Music

• Albert Nyathi
• Alick Macheso
• Lovemore Majaivana
• Nicholas Zacharia
• Stella Chiweshe
• Thomas Mapfumo
• Bothwell Nyamhondera
• Fradreck Mujuru
• Zex Manatsa

Literature

• Aaron Chiundura Moyo
• Barbara Makhalisa-Nkala
• Joyce Jenje-Makwenda 
• Musaemura Zimunya 
• Pathisa Nyathi 
• Paul Chidyausiku
• Shimmer Chinodya 
• Tsitsi Dangarembga

Dance

• Barnabas Chadamoyo
• Ellen Mlangeni
• Irene Chigamba
• Matesu Dube 

Visual Arts

• Dominic Benhura (sculpture) 
• Adam Madebe (sculpture) 
• Helen Leiros (painter)
• Rashid Jogee (painter) 
• Sylvester Mubayi (sculpture)
• Tapfuma Gutsa (sculpture)

Theatre/Drama

• Ben Mahaka (actor, director) 
• Cont Mhlanga (playwright, director) 
• Daves Guzha (theatre producer, director)
• Felix Moyo (playwright, actor) 
• Jasen Mphepo (actor)
• Jesesi Mungoshi (actress)
• Nkululeko Innocent Dube (director)
• Stephen Chigorimbo (director)
• Susan Chenjerai (actress)
• Susan Haines (actress) 

Poetry

• Chirikure Chirikure 

Film

• Joe Njagu (director)
• Nakai Matema (producer)