National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) honored the country's most outstanding talent
- Southerton Business Times
- Mar 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 2
By Percy Nhara
Yesterday, February 28, 2026, the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) was transformed into a bastion of "Fearless Creativity" as the 24th National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) honored the country's most outstanding talent.
With a record-breaking 1,117 submissions this season, the ceremony marked a historic shift, introducing new categories for Fashion and Digital Arts, and even recognizing an AI-generated production for the first time.
The music categories saw a clash of giants. Jah Prayzah entered the night with five nominations and solidified his legacy by taking home Outstanding Male Musician, while his track "Ruzhowa" and album Ndini Mukudzeyi were central to the evening's conversation.
Nisha Ts emerged as a powerful force, winning Outstanding Female Musician following the success of her album The Woman King. Meanwhile, the People's Choice Award—the night's most anticipated public-voted category saw a fierce battle between Winky D, Jah Prayzah, and Freeman HKD, with Winky D ultimately claiming the trophy to a thunderous standing ovation.
Key Category Winners:
Outstanding Song: "Ruzhowa" – Jah Prayzah
Outstanding Album: The Notebook – Freeman HKD
Outstanding Music Video: "Fake Love" – Winky D (Directed by Jusa Dementor)
Outstanding Breakthrough Musician: Junior Spragga
Outstanding First Published Work: Hanzi Huchi Hwenduri – Ushehwedu Kufakurinani
Performers Who Stole the Show
The stage was a masterclass in Zimbabwean diversity. Sylent Nqo opened the night with a blistering guitar solo that transitioned into a collaborative medley featuring Janet Manyowa, setting a spiritual and triumphant tone.
The most talked-about performance of the evening was a genre-bending "Afro-electro" set by MVM & Friends, who performed their hit "Shake That," blending traditional sounds with futuristic digital visuals. Freeman HKD also took to the stage, performing tracks from his award-winning album The Notebook, proving why he remains the "HKD Boss."
Organisers and Artists Speak Out
Barbara Gotore, Director of Arts Promotion and Development at NACZ, emphasized the night's theme:
"NAMA is a beacon. This 24th edition has proven that our artists are no longer afraid to innovate. By including Digital Arts and AI, we are telling the world that Zimbabwe’s creative sector is ready for the future."
Organizers Scarlet Studios and Events Evolution were praised for the world-class production. Representative Gift Tenga noted, "We aimed for Oscar-level prestige, and the 'Fearless' fashion on the red carpet showed that our guests took that challenge to heart."
Winky D, upon accepting his award, kept his comments brief but poignant, thanking the fans for "remaining the compass" of his career, while Nisha Ts dedicated her win to young women in the industry, urging them to lead their "own kingdoms."
NAMA 2026 Winners List
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