The Sunday News
FEBRUARY is an interesting month in the arts sector, not because it is the month of love, but because it is the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) month. February is the month when Zimbabwe celebrates excellence in the arts sector with special awards. And believe you me every edition of the national awards bring its own drama — mostly before or on the night of the awards.
Remember the drama around Mai Charamba winning Best Female award when she had not produced anything in two years? Remember the embarrassing pieces of cloth that were given as prizes last year? So this year was never going to be different. In Bulawayo, the unofficial cultural hub of the country, the drama started immediately after the announcement of the nominees.
On the day the nominees were announced one Nigel Ndlovu went ballistic upon finding that his online endeavours under the banner of Urban Culxure had once again gone unnoticed. Perhaps more painful for the young man was seeing a rival online platform, much younger than Urban Culxure getting the nod. And so in anger he started denouncing the awards, the selection criteria and even going as far as insulting those organising the awards with the F word. In his ranting it was obvious the young man suspected that someone or people in Bulawayo were blocking his or Urban Culture’s nomination. His ranting caused a stir in social media circles.
The second drama happened almost a week later. Again via social media. Fellow artiste and theatre producer Josh Nyapimbi posted his disappointment on Facebook. He wrote: “In my 30 years of professional theatre practice the Nama 2017 nominees are a scandal of epic proportion. Who are the judges who turn industry awards into some affirmative action exercise? I’m still trying to come to terms with how Warrior and uNtikolotshi were better than The Tellers and Lamentations @12.” The immediate reaction to this complaint was that since Josh Nyapimbi produced The Tellers the complaint was mere sour grapes. Just like Nigel Ndlovu’s rant. However, a lot of people felt Nyapimbi’s complaint was unfair, particularly to the cast and crew of the plays Warriors and Untikolotshi. Some wondered whether his complaint was about the obscure selection process or more about the two plays that are part of the nominees. His complaint would have been better received if it had been general about selection criteria not to rubbish other artistes’ work.
The constant complaints speak much about how we all want to be part of the awards. If these awards were not that important no one will be complaining about not being nominated. However, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe need to take some of the complaints very seriously. Some are not just a case of sour grapes. For example there is a need to know the judges and to know what criteria they are using. It would also be interesting to know the parameters of their categories. For example, can a series and talk show be in the same category? Or can a novel and a short story compilation be in the same category? Perhaps more grassroots consultation is needed.
Complaints will always be there. But they do not necessary mean people are anti-Nama. Artistes love and appreciate the awards. They are the only national awards that have been consistent for over 12 years. And anyone with the arts at heart is aware of the important role the awards play in pushing artistes to aim for high standards.
Wishing all the best to the nominees and may only the best walk away with the gongs.
