National Arts Merit Awards 2025 in Zimbabwe: All the nominees

This year’s line-up sets the stage for a highly competitive and anticipated awards ceremony, showcasing the best in Zimbabwean music.

In the Outstanding Female Musician category, Shashl, known for her distinctive sound, will go up against gospel powerhouse Janet Manyowa and the ever-versatile Tamy Moyo. The competition among the male nominees is just as fierce, with Freeman HKD leading the race following the success of his album Me vs Me. He is joined by the energetic Master H and hip-hop sensation Saintfloew, who has carved out a strong position in the industry with his thought-provoking lyrics and unique delivery.

For the Outstanding Breakthrough Musician award, formerly known as Outstanding Upcoming Musician, three rising stars are in contention. Nisha Ts has earned a well-deserved nomination, alongside hip hop’s promising new face Young Gemini. Dancehall’s latest breakout star Chillmaster rounds out the list, making this category one to watch as these fresh talents continue to make their mark.

The Outstanding Music Group category sees three gospel ensembles battling it out, with Joyfull Praise, Shower Power, and The Unveiled all competing for the top honour. Their uplifting performances and chart-topping albums over the past year have cemented their places as some of the country’s most beloved musical collectives. Meanwhile, the Outstanding Song category features some of the biggest hits of 2024, including ‘Madiro’ by Kae Chaps, ‘Kana Ndanyura’ by Killer T, ‘Gore Rino’ by Tembalami featuring The Unveiled, ‘Denga’ by Hwinza, and ‘Gore Remix’ by 216 Whisky featuring various artists.

The Outstanding Album category celebrates projects that dominated the charts and connected deeply with fans. Freeman HKD’s Me vs Me stands as a reflection of personal and artistic growth, while Voltz JT’s N.O.P Makoni showcases his powerful hip hop storytelling. Saintfloew’s Trap Yevafundisi also makes the list, an album that pushed creative boundaries and further established him as a leading voice in the industry.

Creativity and high production value are at the forefront of this year’s Outstanding Music Video nominations. ‘Masahwira’ by Enzo Ishall, directed by AJV Entertainment, faces competition from ‘Nhemamusasa’ by Bagga, directed by Leoy V, ‘Machind’a by Mulanation, directed by Taurai Zidya Dollar, and ‘Mvura’ by Bagga, directed by KMane. Each of these videos brings a unique artistic vision to life, complementing the music in a visually compelling way.

The highly anticipated People’s Choice Award features a star-studded line-up, allowing fans to have their say on who takes home this prestigious honour. The nominees include hip hop star Voltz JT, gospel favourite Dorcas Moyo, comedian and content creator Mai Kirifodhi, legendary Zimdancehall artist Winky D, and the ever-versatile Master H.

Other nominees from different categories were drawn out of various disciplines including poetry, theatre, literature, comedy, film and visual arts, among others.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Music Awards

Outstanding Female Musician

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

Outstanding Male Musician

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

Outstanding Breakthrough Musician (formerly known as Outstanding Upcoming Musician)

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

Outstanding Music Group

• Joyfull Praise
• Shower Power
• The Unveiled

Outstanding Song

• ‘Madiro’ – Kudakwashe Chapepa aka Kae Chaps
• ‘Kana Ndanyura’ – Kelvin Kusikwenyu aka Killer T
• ‘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

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

Outstanding Music Video

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

Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora

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

Dance Awards

Outstanding Female Dancer

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

Outstanding Male Dancer

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

Outstanding Dance Group/Production

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

• Ismail Hajee Mposa
• Gareth Nyandoro
• Moffat Takadiwa

Outstanding Female Visual Artist

• Portia Zvavahera
• Shamila Aasha
• Sinqobile Shamiso Dube

Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist

• Fungai Marima
• Kundai Nathan
• Nothando Chiwanga

Outstanding Exhibition

• 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
• 6th Venice Biennale by Various Artists curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa

Spoken Word Awards

Outstanding Poet

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

Outstanding Social Media Skits

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

Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian

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

Theatre Awards

Outstanding Actress

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

Outstanding Actor

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

Outstanding Theatrical Production

• The Aftermath
• Promise
• Family Riots

Outstanding Director

• Promise by Teddy Mangawa
• Haywire by Everson Ndlovu
• 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

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

Outstanding Fiction Book

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

Outstanding Non-Fiction Book

• 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
• Entrepreneurial Success: Insights on Growing Business in a Fluid Economy by Divine
• Simbi-Ndhlukula PhD published by Divine Simbi-Ndlukula(PhD)

Film & Television Awards

Outstanding Actress

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

Outstanding Actor

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

Outstanding Screen Production (Television)

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

Outstanding Screen Production (Short film)

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

Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length film)

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

Special Awards

Promoter of the Year

• Nash TV
• Event Hulks
• Ngoma Nehosho

People’s Choice Award

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