Story by Colette Musanyera
THE People’s Choice Award nominations for the 21st edition of National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) are officially open, with the top five nominees expected to be announced on the 20th of this month.
Unlike other NAMA categories which are based on adjudication from a panel, the People’s Choice Award is a special gong given to an artist or arts institution selected by the public.
The public is at liberty to pick their choice from any artistic genre like music, film and television, literary arts, dance, visual arts, theatre or spoken word.
“This category is based on the public. They can vote for any Zimbabwean artist even those who have not been nominated for any category. We are now at the nomination stage and votes will be cast on our WhatsApp platform. We will announce the top 5 winners on the 20th of February. The top 5 will advance to the next voting stage, then the winner will be announced,” said Tinashe Kitchen, Jacaranda Culture and Media Corporation.
Some of the artists who have been honoured in this category include Uncle Ritchie of the “Zvirikumbofamba Sei” Fame which trended in 2014, gospel musician Mai Patai and Dendera musician Sulumani Chimbetu.
