NACZ adjusts NAMA awards judging process

Patience Muchemwa

Senior Reporter

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe has updated its terms of reference for National Arts Merit Awards judgment to increase transparency and clarity.

The awards have faced harsh criticism from the public with some people saying the winners are not the best of Zimbabwean arts.

NACZ Executive Director, Napoleon Nyanhi announced the development during a press conference on Thursday.

"To enhance efficiency and strengthen transparency and fairness, there are some changes on the adjudication of awards.

“The Council has established a separate, independent panel of adjudicators to determine award recipients and clarify the adjudication process in terms of reference on their website.

“The updated terms will be publicly available on the NACZ website from September 1, 2024, providing clear guidelines for the award selection process,” he said.

Individual and institutional monitors, including radio and television stations will also work with the NACZ to monitor the process.

Nyanhi said the board and management of the NACZ do not select award recipients, ensuring that the award process is free from any potential conflicts of interest and is fair and impartial.

The NACZ accepts submissions for the NAMA award throughout the year, either online or in person at their offices.

This year's award consideration will focus on works created between December 1, 2023, and November 30, 2024. The submission deadline for the 23rd edition of the NAMA is November 30th, 2024. Only Zimbabwean nationals or those with resident status are eligible to submit.

Nyanhi also announced that memory sticks and links are the preferred submission methods for the NAMA awards. CDs and DVDs are no longer acceptable.

The NACZ has made adjustments to the award categories for the NAMA honouring the most notable and representative works in each category, ensuring that the awards remain a prestigious celebration of the best in Zimbabwean arts and culture.