PREPARATIONS for the 24th edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) are in full swing, with organizers introducing new categories and independent auditors in a bid to revitalize Zimbabwe’s premier arts awards and enhance transparency.
The forthcoming ceremony, scheduled for February next year, is expected to rekindle public excitement and confidence in the awards.
For the first time, independent auditors have been engaged to oversee the adjudication process, which begins in December, ensuring credibility and accountability in the selection of winners.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Arts Promotion and Development Director, Mrs Barbara Gotore, confirmed the developments.
“We have engaged Alien Auditors who will be overseeing the whole process of NAMA. I am happy to say for the 24th edition, we have increased the categories, now standing at nine, including the new babies fashion and podcast,” she said.
Newly appointed event managers, Scarlet Studios and Events Evolution, have pledged to deliver a fresh, dynamic, and inclusive celebration of local talent under the theme ‘Fearless Creativity’.
“We are doing everything to bring in as much creativity and inclusivity. The theme ‘Fearless Creativity’ speaks to all artists creativity that shines 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Scarlet Studios Executive Director, Rumbidzai Matinenga said.
Entries for the 2025 edition close on the 30th of November, covering works produced between 1 December 2024 and 30 November 2025.
The two newly introduced categories are Fashion Awards, recognizing outstanding male and female designers as well as key contributors to the fashion industry, and Digital Awards, celebrating excellence among social media content creators and podcasters.
