The finalists for Zimbabwe’s National Arts Merit Awards 2023 were announced in Harare on Monday, February 6, 2023. Here are those in the literary arts categories.
The National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA Awards) is a set of annual awards granted by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe in recognition of outstanding achievements in the arts and culture. The categories have differed over the years.
The finalists for the 2023 edition were announced on Monday with the following making the cut in the literary categories;
First Creative Published Work
- The Madman on First Street And Other Stories, David Chasumba
- 3.15am And Other Stories, Rudo D.M Manyere
- Monomotapa, Tawanda Vomo
Outstanding Children’s Book
- When The Sun Sets, Nqobizwe Malinga
- Let’s Enjoy Village Tales with Mbuya maDishi, Valentine N.Nyagweta
- Sloba and the Chameleonaire, Costa Chayambuka
Outstanding Fiction Book
- The Quality of Mercy, Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu
- Intwasa Short Stories V2, edited by Raisedon Baya
- Chapwati, Ignatius C. Musonza
Outstanding Poetry Book
- Starfish Blossoms, Samantha R. Vazhure
- Ichibi Lwezinkondlo, Obert Dube
- I Know Why The Heart Sings, Patience Chiyangwa
Here are some responses from some of the finalists;
Patience Chiyangwa:” I Know Why the Heart Sings is nominated in the 21st National Arts Merit Awards !!! Just the nomination in my own country is a win!!!! #proudlyzimbabwean”
Samantha R. Vazhure: “I’m grateful & excited to see my book ‘Starfish Blossoms’ nominated for Outstanding Poetry Book by the National Arts Merit Awards 🙏🏾💗🌸 Congratulations to all the nominees in all categories!”
Rudo D.M Manyere: “I GOT NOMINATED FOR A NAMA!! I am so excited!!”
Nqobizwe Malinga: “We have been nominated for a NAMA by the National Arts Merit Awards for Outstanding Children’s Book. This is probably the highest honour I’ve ever received from my homeland. Let’s bring the award home🏆📚 To God be all the Glory. Thank you✨”
Costa Chayambuka: “Thank you NAMA for the nomination!!!”
Raisedon Baya: “Our literary project got nominated for NAMA”
The winners of the awards will be announced in a ceremony in Harare on February 25.
