THE highly acclaimed, informative as well as educative play Chimbwido the Girl of War produced by New Zealand-based Zimbabwean playwright Stanley Makuwe is among the nominees of the 15th edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA).
The awards are scheduled for next week at 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale.
Chimbwido the Girl of War has been nominated in four categories, while its actors have also been nominated.
Makuwe has been nominated for outstanding Theatrical Production and Outstanding Director.
Speaking to Patriot Arts, Makuwe said being nominated at the NAMA was a sign of appreciation and an honour which he valued.
The artiste, who, in the past, produced plays that promoted regime change sponsored by Western players, has since turned a new leaf, insisting he will now be telling the true Zimbabwean story as opposed to scripts motivated by money and wishes of the West.
Chimbwido the Girl of War, which arose out of Makuwe’s personal experience during the liberation struggle, is a brilliant piece that portrays the relationship that existed between collaborators and the guerillas.
It debunks notions that the relationship was one of abuse, especially of female collaborators.
It shows how the collaborators were ready to make sacrifices to save the fighters, always going the extra-mile to ensure the freedom fighters succeeded.
The play portrays how collaborators were an integral part of the struggle.
“I am excited and inspired to keep on working,” said Makuwe.
The protagonists Nyaradzo Nhongonhema and Tafadzwa Hananda have been nominated for Outstanding Actress and Outstanding Actor awards respectively.
Chimbwido the Girl of War is one of the few recently produced plays that tell the true Zimbabwean liberation story without distortions.
Makuwe, who, in the past, produced plays that ridiculed President Robert Mugabe and the Government explained during the premiere of Chimbwido the Girl of War that the dilemma of funding was the major reason artistes compromised their craft.
When the play premiered, the brilliant playwright explained how many Zimbabwean artistes deeply desired to tell the true Zimbabwean story of heroism and bravery but were unable to do so as a result of lack of funds.
Meanwhile, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) revealed that the selection of this year’s nominees for the NAMA awards had been done differently from the past.
“In a bid to enhance entries, NACZ appointed a team of both individual and institutional monitors who kept an eye on excelling artistes throughout the year,” said the council in a statement.
NACZ also highlighted that the monitors submitted reports which were used by adjudicators to guide their selection criteria.
The music category has all the high-riding artistes.
Musicians who include Winky D, Jah Prayzah and Killer T have all been nominated in the Outstanding Male Musician, Outstanding Album and Outstanding Song categories.
Jah Prayzah’s Jerusarema has been nominated for Outstanding Album including Gafa Life by Winky D, Ngoma Ndaimba by Killer T while Mathias Mhere’s Glory to Glory is also on the list.
The last edition of NAMA saw Tocky Vibes walk away with two awards, dominating in the outstanding song and Outstanding Album category.
But in this edition of NAMA, the young musician has not been nominated in any category despite releasing an album Toti-toti last year.
For the 15th edition of NAMA, 1 104 entries were submitted, from which the nominees were selected.
The NAMA categories include Dance, Film and Television, Literary Arts, Media, Music, Spoken Word, Theatre, Visual Arts and Promoters.
NACZ launched the inaugural National Arts Merit Awards in 2002.
The awards are meant to encourage creativity and excellence in the arts industry.