By Pride Mzarabani – Harare, March 1, 2026

 

For a record 10th time, dancehall star Winky D scooped the People’s Choice Award at the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) during a glamorous ceremony held Saturday night at the Harare International Conference Centre, where some of the country’s leading creatives were honoured.

 

Held under the theme “Fearless Creativity,” the awards celebrated excellence across Zimbabwe’s arts sector, with Winky D emerging as one of the biggest winners of the night. In addition to the fans’ accolade, he also walked away with the Outstanding Music Video award for his song “Fake Love.”

 

However, the morning after the ceremony, social media platforms were abuzz with debate over the win. Some critics questioned why the “Fake Love” video triumphed over other productions, noting that it was largely AI-generated, while competing entries were traditionally directed and edited by human creators.

 

Others defended the decision, arguing that artificial intelligence represents the future of creative production, and that the innovative concept demonstrated the kind of fearless creativity aligned with the awards’ theme.

 

Taking to Facebook after the win, Winky D thanked his supporters and acknowledged the creative team behind the project, saying to the Gafa Nation and every soul that has ever stood with him that being voted the NAMA People’s Choice for the 10th time was no longer just an accolade but a mirror showing that the message in his music remained alive in the hearts of his fans.

 

“To the Gafa Nation and every soul that has ever stood with me… to be voted the NAMA People’s Choice for the 10th time is no longer just an accolade. It is a mirror that my musical family holds up to show that the message in the music remains alive in your souls.”

 

He added that his music would continue to reflect the struggles and hopes of ordinary people, noting that his work seeks to lift those whose feet are heavy from carrying the burdens of life and that as long as people continue to identify with the message, he will remain a vessel for their stories.

 

“My music shall always strive to lift those whose feet are heavy from carrying the burdens of life. As long as people still feel the message in the music, I will continue being a vessel.”

 

The award-winning artist also paid tribute to video director Jusa DeMentor, describing him as the sculptor behind the techno heartbeat of the “Fake Love” video and praising the creative vision that turned the project into a statement.

 

“Big respect to Jusa DeMentor for being the sculptor behind the techno heartbeat of the ‘Fake Love’ video. You created a mirror that shows how digital illusions can never drown real emotion.”

 

Meanwhile, fellow musician Jah Prayzah was another big winner on the night, taking home Outstanding Male Musician and Album of the Year for his album Ndini Mukudzeyi.

Stand-up comedian Nijo the Slick Pastor also emerged among the standout winners after scooping the Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian award to loud cheers from the audience.

 

In journalism, Plot Mhako, founder of Earground Media, received the Outstanding Arts Journalist award in recognition of his work highlighting governance issues within the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association.

 

In the music category, Nutty O won Outstanding Song for his hit love anthem “Too Much.” The result, however, sparked debate among fans, with some arguing that Jah Prayzah’s song “Ruzhowa” had resonated more widely during 2025 and deserved the accolade.

 

Another result that generated discussion online was the Outstanding Social Media Skits award, which went to Code Red Studios (Tokoloshi). Some fans felt comedian Comic Elder deserved the prize, although others defended the decision, praising Tokoloshi’s unique and educational digital content.

 

The 2026 NAMA awards once again showcased the diversity and evolution of Zimbabwe’s creative sector, recognising excellence across visual arts, theatre, literature, film, dance, music and digital media.

 

FULL WINNERS LIST – NATIONAL ARTS MERIT AWARDS (NAMA) 2026

 

24th Edition Winners

 

1. Visual Arts

 

Outstanding Female Visual Artist

Sabina Mutsvati – Ndishonongoreiwo

 

Outstanding Male Visual Artist

Pardon Mapondera – Dotipaiwo Mwenje

 

Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist

Tadiwanashe Joel Mafuta – Dismas

 

Outstanding Exhibition

CHEUKA Harare Art Fair (Curated by Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe)

 

2. Theatre Awards

 

Outstanding Actor

Cadrick Msongelwa as Squealer/StoryTeller/Mr. Jones in Zi Animal Farm

 

Outstanding Actress

Thandolwenkosi Nkiwane as Multi-Characters in Ipi Ntombi

 

Outstanding Theatrical Production

In Search of a King – Daniel Deuschle and Benjamin Deuschle

 

Outstanding Director

Leonard Matsa – Can We Talk?

 

Outstanding Playwright

Tatenda Mutyambizi – These Humans Are Sick

 

3. Literary Awards

 

Outstanding Fiction Book

My Affair with Misfortune – Sipho Mpofu

(Published by Elane Publishing Consultancy)

 

Outstanding Non-Fiction Book

Gonan’ombe Retsika Namararamiro eChivanhu – Morden Tavarwisa

(Published by Miamuty)

 

Outstanding Children’s Book

Mukanyawashe’s Big Adventure – Gerald Shorayi

(Published by Essential Books Publishing Company)

 

Outstanding First Published Work

The Killer Pastor – Entrodge Usayi

(Published by Soar Publishers)

 

4. Film & Television Awards

 

Outstanding Actor

Leroy Siyafa as James in God Sleeps on Sundays

 

Outstanding Actress

Charity Dlodlo as Maria in Forget Me Not

 

Outstanding Music Video

Fake Love – Winky D

(Directed by Tawanda Sibotshiwe aka Jusa Dementor)

 

Outstanding Screen Production (Television)

Magweja – Dexter Fundire

 

Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)

God Sleeps on Sundays – Naishe Nyamubaya

 

Outstanding Screen Production (Full Length Film)

Dilemma – Joe Njagu

 

5. Dance Awards

 

Outstanding Dance Group/Production

Unseen Stars in Diamond Girls

 

Outstanding Female Dancer

Celine Madziva – Celine’s Work

 

Outstanding Male Dancer

Prince Mbisa (Amazing Prince) – The Rise of Amazing Prince

 

Outstanding Choreographer

Tanaka Machikicho – Diamond Girls

 

6. Spoken Word Awards

 

Outstanding Stand-Up Comedian

Nigel Maritinyu (Nijo the Slick Pastor)

 

Outstanding Poet

Sithandazile Dube

 

7. Music Awards

 

Outstanding Female Musician

Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa (Nisha Ts)

 

Outstanding Male Musician

Mukudzeyi Mukombe (Jah Prayzah)

 

Outstanding Breakthrough Musician

Atenda Chingaira (Atenda Chinx)

 

Outstanding Music Group

Joyfull Praise Choir

 

Outstanding Song

Too Much – Carrington S. Chiwadza (Nutty O)

 

Outstanding Album

Ndini Mukudzeyi – Mukudzeyi Mukombe (Jah Prayzah)

 

8. Fashion Awards

 

Outstanding Male Designer

Ishmael Tsakatsa – Zargue’sia

 

Outstanding Female Fashion Designer

Danayi Madondo – Haus of Stone

 

Outstanding Contributor to the Fashion Industry

Joyce Chimanye – ZUVVA

 

9. Digital Arts Awards

 

Outstanding Female Social Media Content Creator

Gracia Bvute – Pot Tradition

 

Outstanding Male Social Media Content Creator

Marvellous Nyongoro – African Finder

 

Outstanding Podcast

The Ollah 7 Podcast

 

Outstanding Social Media Skits

Sean Khoza (Code Red Studios) – Tokoloshi

 

10. Special Awards

 

Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora

Bhekinkosi Mabhena (DJ Nitefreak) – Music Producer/DJ (France/Spain)

 

Outstanding Arts Journalist / Media House

Plot Mhako

 

Promoter of the Year

Odyssey Entertainment (Kadoma Music Festival) – Owned by Prince Mharadze

 

Arts Personality Award

Nkululeko Innocent Dube

 

Arts Service Award

Delta Beverages – Chibuku

 

Lifetime Achievement Award

Stephen Chigorimbo

 

People’s Choice Award

Winky D (Wallace Chirumiko)