Tuku Encourages Ubuntuism Among Artists

Music superstar Oliver 'Tuku' Mtukudzi

Legendary Zimbabwean musician Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi, who was Guest of Honour at the 2013 National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) held in Bulawayo, gave profound counsel to the nominees, eventual winners and artists in general when he presented his speech.

The NAMA Awards, which were also screened live on local television, were held at the Large City Hall on the evening of February 16.

Speaking after being led to the podium by a young poet performing powerful praise poetry in honour of his great work, Tuku said NAMA is not about competition but a platform upon which to showcase Zimbabwe’s ubuntuism through artists.

“What happens is that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. Our fans have their favourite artists but that does not mean we (artists) are competing. NAMA was built to encourage artists to work hard. If you produced a hit last year, NAMA is calling for another hit from you. It encourages us to move on and when we have moved on, the most important vision is to build ubuntuism among our people through our works.

“All artists are like a mirror. We reflect what a Zimbabwean is. If you do well as an artist wherever you are, people there will always take you as a proud Zimbabwean representative. Our work is meant to uplift our people.

 “As I stand here many of you say ‘Ah mukuru uyu ah, akapenga, akapenga.’ Ndinozvinzwa zvangu. Ndinozvinzwa muchitaura, but hazvireve kuti I am a genius. Zvinongoreva chete kuti une hunhu hunofarirwa nevanhu. Ende kana vanhu vafarira hunhu, whether song ikashata sei sa ‘Patapata’ (in reference to his song), vanhu havazvione nokuti zvabva kumunhu ane hunhu hwavanoda,” said Tuku.

He urged Zimbabwean artists to give back to the communities where they come from by way of identifying and helping the upcoming artists to keep the artistic legacy of Zimbabwe going.

Tuku acknowledged that the road artists walk in pursuit of their dreams teems with difficulties but he encouraged artists to walk on every ground, for there are no short-cuts to their destinies.

“NAMA needs those of you who are doing well. Selling lots of music is not what I mean by doing well. Doing well is having hunhu which in turn sells your works to the people. Uri kamupfanha kari bho-o. Kana uri kamufana kari bho-o unowana rubatsiro because uri mufana ari bho-o. Zvinobva pahunhu. Kana uine hunhu hwakanaka unokwanisa kuteerera. Paunotsiurwa hauone sewatukwa nokuti uri kamufana kari bho-o,” said Tuku to much applause.

The music superstar went on to thank the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe for bringing NAMA to Bulawayo and hoped that NACZ will also reach out to other provinces so that no one feels inferior.

Tuku was later honored with a gift sculptured by renowned artist Dominic Benhura.

 Albert Nyathi won the Outstanding Children's Book Award for his book 'My Daughter'

 Isaac Lambada, nominated for Outstanding Poet Award (Spoken Word Category), seen here at the Glen Lodge where a cocktail for nominees and certificates presentation took place

  

Sibongile Mnkandla won the Outstanding Fiction Book Award for her book 'Taking the Lead' (Literary Arts Category)

Beaven Tapureta, representing Writers International Network Zimbabwe which was nominated as Outstanding Online Media (Media Category), seen here at the Glen Lodge where nominees were presented with their certificates

Carl Joshua Ncube won the Outstanding Comedian Award (Spoken Word category)

Below is the complete list of the 12th NAMA Nominees and Winners

                             
                                

 

Category	Nominees	Winner
Theatre Outstanding Actor;	Teddy Mangava in Diamonds in his grave by Rooftop Charles Matare inWusiku by Rooftop Zenzo Nyathi in Stitsha by Amakhosi	Charles Matare  in Wusiku by Rooftop
Outstanding Actress	Rumbidzai Karize in When Angels Weep by Rooftop Caroline Mashingaidze  in Ten Bush Nothando Nobengula in Wusiku and Ten Bush	Nothando Nobengula
Outstanding Theatrical Production	Eclipsed  by Reps Theatre Wusiku by Rooftop Promotions When Angels Weep by MNk Production	When Angels Weep – MNk Productions
Outstanding Director	Zane Lukas  for Eclipsed – Reps Eunice Tava for Diamonds in his grave - Rooftop Styx Mhlanga for The Burrow – Amakhosi Theatre Productions	Zane Lukas – Eclipsed - Reps
Spoken Word Awards Outstanding Comedian:	Carl Joshua Ncube Clive Chigubhu NtandoyenkosiMoyo	Carl Joshua Ncube
Outstanding Poet:	Tatenda Chinoda Sithandazile Dube Isaac Lambada	Tatenda Chinoda
Literary Arts Outstanding Fiction Book –	Mnkandla, Sibongile, Taking the Lead Chinodya, Shimmer, Chioniso and other stories Samachai Kawengo, The Incubus	Taking the Lead; Sibongile Mnkandla
Outstanding Children’s Book	Albert Nyathi, My daughter FaraiNyandoro, Panic on fun day. Ignatius Mabasa, Merinebhutsutsvuku	Albert Nyathi, My daughter
Outstanding First Creative Published Work –	Oliver Nyambi and TendaiMangena  (eds) From where the wind blows.2012 Philani Amadeus Nyoni; Once a lover always a fool	Philani Amadeus Nyoni; Once a lover always a fool
Visual arts Outstanding Mix-Media Work;	Melodies from the Mermaid, Forbes Mushipe Humming Bird, Johnson Zuze Ecosystem, Richard Mpumha Special Mention: Sportsmanship, Wisdom Chengaose	Forbes Mushipe Melodies from the Mermaid.
Outstanding two Dimensional Work (painting, drawing, photography):	Morning light, David Chinyau Cloud nine, Taurai Dliwayo Ceremonial Dancers, Itai Njangu	Morning light by David Chinyau
Outstanding three Dimensional Work (sculpture, ceramic, craft):	Unto us a child is given Israel Israel Family mind, Raphael Machinjili Never ending, Washington Matate	Unto us a child is given by Israel Israel
Outstanding Exhibition:	The Cycle Davina Jovi, Spirit of Friendship NGZ in Byo, Inhlama Nonhlanhla Mathe	The Cycle Davina Jogi
Media Awards Outstanding Journalist—Print:	Margaret Chinowaita Raisedon Baya Mthandazo Dube	Mthandazo Dube
Outstanding Journalist—Television:	Sifiso Mpofu Terence Mapurisana Leonard Mabvara	Sifiso Mpofu
Outstanding Online Media:	The Writers International Network Three Men On a Boat Zimbojam	Zimbojam
Dance: Outstanding Dance Group:	Magesh Iyasa National Ballet	Magesh
Outstanding Female Dancer:	Melanie Currathers - Titanium Loveness Mabakwa- Bembera Siphephiso Magonya – Iyasa	Siphephiso Magonya- Iyasa
Outstanding Male Dancer:	Arthur Ndlovu– Magesh Peter Lenso - Mi Works David Machowa - Apama	Arthur Ndlovu - Magesh
Outstanding Choreographer:	Brian Geza  - National Ballet Tinashe  - Magesh Alfonis Ndlovu – Abatsha	Brian Geza - National Ballet
Film and Television Outstanding Actor:	James Mariseni “Jingo” – The Kiss Lloyd Kurima – Bag rabvaruka Cyril Sadat Sanhewe – Kiriboni The Menace	Cyril Sadat Sanhewe – Kiriboni The Menace
Outstanding Actress:	Sara Mpofu – Tshuz Mazikhethela, Reunite Locadia Matenga – Delete Qeqeshiwe Mntambo – Suku	Qeqeshiwe Mntambo –Suku
Outstanding Music Video	Ruvimbo  - Energy Mutodi Mativenga -  Roki AmaiBhoyi - Jutal Special Mention –Watson Chidzomba - Nzombenemhuruyayo	Amai Bhoyi
Outstanding Screen Production (Television):	Delete One family can Tshuz Mazikhethela	Delete
Outstanding Screen Production (Full length Film):	Suku The Kiss Simbimbino	Suku
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film):	Inhlanhla Ivevane  Mind games	Mind games
Music Outstanding Female Musician:	Hope Masike, PlaxedesWenyika Cindy Munyavi	Hope Masike
Outstanding Male Musician:	Sulumani Chimbetu  Donald Chirisa aka Sniper Enock Guni aka Knox  Special mention: Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky D.	Sulumani Chimbetu
Outstanding Song:	Love yemusoja Ndinonyara GochiGochi Special Mention: Vumelani Sangoma	Love Yemusoja  “sniper” Donald Chirisa
Outstanding album:	Syllabus – Sulumani Chimbetu Shongwe – Blessing Shumba Love yemusoja – Donald Chirisa Special Mention: Anoita minana – Mathias Mhere	Syllabus – Sulumani Chimbetu
Special Awards Outstanding Promoter of the Year	C & A Entertainment Brumat t/a Horizon Bar and Restaurant Chipaz Promotions	Chipaz Promotions
Arts Personality:	N/A	Mokoomba
Arts Service:	N/A	Book Cafe
People’s Choice:	N/A	Sulumani Chimbetu

Kudos to the nominees and winners!