Here is the full list of nominees of the NATIONAL ARTS MERIT AWARDS (NAMA) 2026, 24th Edition:
VISUAL ARTS
1.Outstanding Female Visual Artist
- Amanda Shingirai Mushate – Chimoro neHukoshwa Part 1
- Sabina Mutsvati – Ndishonongoreiwo
- Shamila Aasha – Healing Alchemy
Outstanding Male Visual Artist
- Confidence Zinyeka – Intimate Conversation
- Pardon Mapondera – Dotipaiwo Mwenje
- Tinotenda Chivhinge – Nonsense Hit Song
Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist
- Claire Munjoma – Shanduko
- Tadiwanashe Joel Mafuta – Dismas
- Crystal Vimbainashe Beseni – Maps of Everything
Outstanding Exhibition
- Ndishonongoreiwo (Solo Exhibition) by Sabina Mutsvati, curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa
- Perfection Is Not Always Reality (Solo Exhibition) by Tinotenda Chivhinge, curated by Doris Kamupira
- CHEUKA Harare Art Fair, curated by Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe
- THEATRE AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
- Cadrick Msongelwa as Squealer/Storyteller/Mr. Jones – Zi Animal Farm
- Elroy Takunda Musiiwa as Benjamin/Storyteller One – Zi Animal Farm
- Ronald Sigeca as Prophet – These Humans Are Sick
Outstanding Actress
- Chidochashe Joanne Tenga as Bope – Can We Talk?
- Tsungirirai Chenjerai as Snowball/Clover/Storyteller – Zi Animal Farm
- Thandolwenkosi Nkiwane – Multi-characters – Ipi Ntombi
Outstanding Theatrical Production
- In Search of a King – Celebration Church
- Can We Talk? – Almasi Collaborative Arts
- Zi Animal Farm – Savanna Trust
Outstanding Director
- Daniel Dueschle – In Search of a King
- Leonard Matsa – Can We Talk?
- Sandra Braddock – Ipi Ntombi
Outstanding Playwright
- Tatenda Mutyambizi – These Humans Are Sick
- Batsirai Chigama – Can We Talk?
- LITERARY AWARDS
Outstanding Fiction Book
- Iluba lika Ntunjambila – Polite Sibanda (Pre-dawn Publishers)
- My Affair with Misfortune – Sipho Mpofu (Elane Publishing Consultancy)
- The Toppling – Cynthia Rumbidzai Marangwanda (Carnelian Heart Publishing Ltd)
Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
- Gonan’ombe Retsika Namararamiro eChivanhu – Morden Tavarwisa (Miamuty)
- Kurasika MuAfurika – Rumbidzai Caroline Kahari (Essential Books Publishing Company)
- The Essentials to Faithful Living – Michael H. Nyahwera (Beyond Today)
Outstanding Children’s Book
- Mukanyawashe’s Big Adventure – Gerald Shorayi (Essential Books Publishing Company)
- The Adventures of Dafi and Rize – Wadzanai Tadhuvana (Kunda Kids Publishers)
- The Old River Woman – Shakemore Dirani (Essential Books Publishing Company)
Special Mention
- The Exciting Story of Chipo the Bird – Jean Taanashe Botso (Essential Books Publishing Company)
- Munashe The Clever Boy – Rigel Chabata (Essential Books Publishing Company)
Outstanding First Published Work
- Hanzi Huchi Hwenduri – Kubva Mukatikati – Ushehwedu Kufakurinani (Carnelian Heart Publishing Limited)
- The Killer Pastor – Entourade Usayi (Soar Publishers)
- Zvamuri Ndaimbova Zvandiri Muchava – Josiah Muchada (Sahara Publishers)
- FILM & TELEVISION AWARDS
Outstanding Actor
- Calvin Madula as Stan “SK” Khumalo – High School Diaries
- Charles Kamara as Mike – Nhai Maiguru
- Leroy Siyafa as James – God Sleeps on Sundays
Outstanding Actress
- Wizzy Mangoma as Chirongoma – God Sleeps on Sundays
- Charity Dlodlo as Maria – Forget Me Not
- Natasha Dlamini as Beauty – Totem
Outstanding Music Video
- Kuno – Jah Prayzah (Directed by Vusa Hlatshwayo & Davis Hanzu)
- Fake Love – Winky D (Directed by Tawanda Sibotshiwe)
- Nguva NdeyaMwari – Dorcas Moyo (Directed by Hastings Chiromo)
Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
- High School Diaries – John Mabuyane
- Magweja – Dexter Fundire
- Love Across the Ocean – Willy Makumire Lilly
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)
- A Future Untold – Prosper Kunyetu
- God Sleeps on Sundays – Naishe Nyamubaya
- Totem – Nicole Panashe Dzenga
Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length)
- Loved Out – Tendai Nyeke
- Dilemma – Joe Njagu
- Mwana Wangu – Nakai Beauty Tsuro
- DANCE AWARDS
Outstanding Dance Group/Production
- Salt ‘n’ Light Dance Company – Still Salty
- Diamond Girls – Unseen Stars
- MnM Dance Factory – African Sunrise
Outstanding Female Dancer
- Mandisa Maseko (Storm Zw) – The Crown Project
- Celine Madziva – Celine’s Work
- Lisa Tanaka Magwenzi (Lissa Tanaka) – Lissa Tanaka
Outstanding Male Dancer
- Prince Mbisa (Amazing Prince) – The Rise of Amazing Prince
- Lawrence Sirewo (Flexxy Smith) – Big Brother Mzansi
- Shadreck Moyo (Shaddy Stiffler) – The Cowboys
Outstanding Choreographer
- Tanaka Machikicho – Diamond Girls
- Celine Madzivai – Celine
- Terrence Kapesa – Salt & Light Dance Company
It's a Gospel Time
Feel the Spirit this May! Zimbabwe’s finest gospel musicians come together for an unforgettable night of praise and celebration.
- SPOKEN WORD AWARDS
Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian
- Frank Chirisa
- Mbongeni Ignatious
- Nigel Maritinyu (Nijo the Slick Pastor)
Outstanding Poet
- Obert Dube
- Sithandazile Dube
- Thaluso Moyo (Thaluso the Poet)
- MUSIC AWARDS
Outstanding Female Musician
- Sharon Manyonganise Cherayi
- Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa (Nisha Ts)
- Ashleigh Angel Moyo (Shashl)
Outstanding Male Musician
- Michael Mahendere
- Emegy Chizanga (Freeman HKD)
- Mukudzeyi Mukombe (Jah Prayzah)
Outstanding Breakthrough Musician
- Nyasha Emmanuel Dedza (Junior Spragga)
- Atenda Chingaira (Atenda Chinx)
- Shone Qongo (Shone)
Outstanding Music Group
- The Redeemed Family
- VeRutendo
- Joyful Praise
Outstanding Song
- Ruzhowa – Jah Prayzah
- Admire Kadembo – Nisha Ts
- Too Much – Nutty O
Outstanding Album
- The Notebook – Freeman HKD
- Ndini Mukudzeyi – Jah Prayzah
- The Woman King – Gender IIH – Nisha Ts
- FASHION AWARDS
Outstanding Male Designer
- Rangarirai Kenias – Raengah
- Brightman Dlamini – Tocar Narrations
- Ishmael Tsakatsa – Zargue’sia
Outstanding Female Fashion Designer
- Nomakhosazana Khanyile Ncube – A Tribe Called Zimbabwe
- Danayi Madondo – Haus of Stone
- Yolanda Ngwenya – Bakhar
Outstanding Contributor to the Fashion Industry
- Amanda Mutangadura – AM Model Management
- Priscilla Chigariro – Zimbabwe Fashion Week
- Joyce Chimanye – ZUVVA
- DIGITAL ARTS AWARDS
Outstanding Female Social Media Content Creator
- Blessing Nashe – Nashe the Plug
- Gracia Bvute – Pot Tradition
- Tariro Sarudzai Mharapara – Butterphly
Outstanding Male Social Media Content Creator
- Marvellous Ngongoro – African Finder
- Kelvin Biriot
- Prince Sivalo Mahlangu – Magriza Made Me Cook
Outstanding Podcast
- Zigo Podcast
- Pass and Move Podcast
- The Ollah 7 Podcast
Outstanding Social Media Skits
- Leroy T. Zaware (Comic Elder)
- Sean Khoza (Code Red Studios) – Tokoloshi
- Ronald Chimombe (Thugga Thugga)
- SPECIAL AWARDS
Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora
- Bhekinkosi Mabhena (DJ Nitefreak) – France & Spain
- Luckson Chikutu (Manluckerz) – USA
- Chrispen Nyathi – South Africa
Promoter of the Year
- Stratosphere Events (Fiesta Fiesta Zimbabwe) – Charles Ayisa
- Odyssey Entertainment (Kadoma Music Festival) – Prince Mharadze
- Ngoma Nehosho (Jacaranda Music Festival) – Walter Wanyanya
People’s Choice Award
- Principal Chigwida (Prince Chigwida)
- Leroy T. Zaware (Comic Elder)
- Wallace Chirumiko (Winky D)
- Mukudzeyi Mukombe (Jah Prayzah)
- Michelle Moyo (Ritz Mcleish)
