BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe - The 22nd National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) brought a vibrant display of artistic excellence to Bulawayo on February 24th, 2022.

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Held under the theme "KWAN22," reflecting the host city's nickname "Kwantutu Ziyathunga," the ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements across diverse artistic fields.

The glittering red carpet event set the stage for a night of celebration, featuring performances from prominent artists like Baba Harare, Everton Mlalazi, and Master H. Numerous awards recognized talent in categories ranging from dance and visual arts to film, music, and literature.

The Dance Awards recognized exceptional talent in choreography and performance, with winners like Deborah Kabongo and Terence Kapesa while visual arts outstanding works in various mediums were honoured, including "My Daughter" by Crystal Vimbanashe Beseni and "Charging Gorilla" by Ray Chataira.

The power of language (Spoken word) was recognized through awards to poets like Ngonidzashe Paradza and social media skit creator Admire Takudzwa Mushambi.

Journalists like Sharon Zebra and MisRed were applauded for their contributions in print, radio, and television yet theatre performances like "Simunye We are One" and "I am/was Marah" received recognition, along with actors Charmaine Mujeri and Douglas Bramsen.

Literature Awards were presented for outstanding works in categories like children's books and poetry, with winners including Martin Chayambuka and Nkosiyazi Kan Kajiri. In Film and Television, productions like "The November Promise" and "High School Diary" were celebrated, along with actors like Everson K. Chieza and Auxillia Mucharevei.

Music's rising stars like Mbida-D and Kinah's music were acknowledged, while established artists like Enzo Ishall and Feli Nandi received awards for their music.

Special awards were presented to Chipaz Promotion for their role in promoting artistic talent and to Learnmore Jonasi for his achievements in stand-up comedy in the US. The People's Choice Award went to Winky D, reflecting his enduring popularity.

NAMA spokesperson Tinashe Kitchen declared the event a resounding success, praising the City of Bulawayo for hosting a memorable celebration of Zimbabwean art. The ceremony serves as a platform for recognizing and nurturing artistic talent, contributing to a vibrant cultural landscape within the nation.