MAI CHARAMBA GIVEN OUTSTANDING FEMALE MUSICIAN AWARD DESPITE NOT RELEASING ANY NEW SONG LAST YEAR
AFRO-jazz sensation Edith WeUtonga has become the latest celebrity to blast the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) in relation to Olivia Charamba’s winning the outstanding female musician award at the 13th edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) which were held in Bulawayo last week.
Mai Charamba won the outstanding female musician award in the music category ahead of Selmor and WeUtonga despite releasing her last album in 2009. For an artiste to be nominated for this year’s awards, their work should have been created between December 1, 2012 and November 30, 2013.
However, some of the list of the nominees did not excel in the period under review therefore raising suspicion and doubts among members of society and observers about the awards being a true reflection of the industry at the moment.
WeUtonga took to social network Facebook to express her bitterness and disappointment over NACZ’s decision for making Mai Charamba the winner.
“In the year under review both Selmor and I have contributed immensely to our industry and my worry now is if these monitors from NACZ are unaware of the works that we have done, then that’s so disappointing and discouraging for our young upcoming female musicians.
“So many female musicians have performed around the country and surely if that is the criteria used then that list should have had more than ten female musicians.”
WeUtonga wrote that it was only in Zimbabwe that an award was given based on how many gigs a musician has performed and be categorised as outstanding female musician.
“This is not encouraging at all. Has anyone checked how many times the band Mokoomba has toured? Yet they do not even get a special mention for their work.
“When young people are doing something great, reward them and see how much more effort they will put into their work.”
Commenting on the post, veteran actress Pretty Xaba also expressed disappointment over the Namas.
“Edith, most people no longer respect NAMA because of that (lack of professionalism) no wonder they don’t want us people who tell the truth to be anywhere close to NAMA.”
Meanwhile, according to a NACZ’s statement, the choice of the outstanding male or female musician category is not based on recent productions, but the adjudicators looked for physical performance, public appearance and interaction with fans.
The Nama awards are held annually to recognise and honour the work of artistes from various categories – literary arts, visual arts, music, theatre, dance, media, spoken word and film. The awards are held as a means of encouraging creativity and excellence in the arts industry.
They also provide an opportunity for artistes to market and publicise the artworks locally, regionally and internationally.
This year’s edition was held under the theme Unite, Excite and Educate Zimbabwe on its proud heritage and diversity through arts and culture.
AFRO-jazz sensation Edith WeUtonga has become the latest celebrity to blast the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) in relation to Olivia Charamba’s winning the outstanding female musician award at the 13th edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) which were held in Bulawayo last week.
However, some of the list of the nominees did not excel in the period under review therefore raising suspicion and doubts among members of society and observers about the awards being a true reflection of the industry at the moment.
WeUtonga took to social network Facebook to express her bitterness and disappointment over NACZ’s decision for making Mai Charamba the winner.
“In the year under review both Selmor and I have contributed immensely to our industry and my worry now is if these monitors from NACZ are unaware of the works that we have done, then that’s so disappointing and discouraging for our young upcoming female musicians.
“So many female musicians have performed around the country and surely if that is the criteria used then that list should have had more than ten female musicians.”
WeUtonga wrote that it was only in Zimbabwe that an award was given based on how many gigs a musician has performed and be categorised as outstanding female musician.
“This is not encouraging at all. Has anyone checked how many times the band Mokoomba has toured? Yet they do not even get a special mention for their work.
“When young people are doing something great, reward them and see how much more effort they will put into their work.”
Commenting on the post, veteran actress Pretty Xaba also expressed disappointment over the Namas.
“Edith, most people no longer respect NAMA because of that (lack of professionalism) no wonder they don’t want us people who tell the truth to be anywhere close to NAMA.”
Meanwhile, according to a NACZ’s statement, the choice of the outstanding male or female musician category is not based on recent productions, but the adjudicators looked for physical performance, public appearance and interaction with fans.
The Nama awards are held annually to recognise and honour the work of artistes from various categories – literary arts, visual arts, music, theatre, dance, media, spoken word and film. The awards are held as a means of encouraging creativity and excellence in the arts industry.
They also provide an opportunity for artistes to market and publicise the artworks locally, regionally and internationally.
This year’s edition was held under the theme Unite, Excite and Educate Zimbabwe on its proud heritage and diversity through arts and culture.
