By Herzel Mushayabasa
All eyes will be on the 2021 edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA), with the nation waiting with curiosity to see who will walk away with the honors.
The NAMAs are held every year to honour outstanding arts personalities, with nominees jostling for attention on the red carpet. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ceremony will not be taking place this year but will happen virtually in order to adhere to the regulations.
Mr. Rodney Ruwende from the National Art Council of Zimbabwe said, “This year we are hosting a special celebratory edition of the NAMA and this event is going to be 100 percent virtual and unlike in previous years, we do not have a venue where people will be seated receiving awards”.
The theme for this year’s edition of awards #NAMA LEGENDS@40-Our Legacy Our Pride is aimed at celebrating the people who have shaped the cultural and creative industries over the past 40 years.
“By intent and purpose, the special edition of the NAMA is unlike previous events because this is an honorary event as recipients were not selected through the normal submission and adjudication process”, said Mr. Ruwende.
The 2021 NAMAs are not the first awards ceremony to go virtual this year as the recently held Star FM Listener’s Choice Awards and the Grammy’s were also held virtually due to Covid-19.
“This year’s winners were selected from inputs by stakeholders and verified by a jury of experts in different sectors, so this year’s edition is all about celebrations as there are no winners or losers”, he added.