B-Metro
Langalakhe Mabena
Increased transparency is expected at this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe Music Awards (Zima) as the organisers embarked on an exercise of restoring the credibility of the awards’ system by re-assembling their team that will be responsible for maintaining accuracy and fairness in selecting nominees and winners.
The press conference announcing new changes was held on 10 March in Harare where organisersbshared the 2023 awards roadmap and vision. The exercise has seen renowned events specialist Marshall Shonhai joining the organising committee as the Zima events representative and creative event planner Fungai “Kush” Zvirawa joining as the Zima experiences officer.
Arts doyen Saimon Mambazo Phiri will continue with his role as the lead of the event’s production. At the press conference, it was revealed that the awards would be held on 3 June at 7 Arts Theatre in Harare and they would run under the theme: “Re-Imagining The Industry”.
Reason “Rizzla” Sibanda, who is the awards CEO said there was a need for creatives to move with the times and advance their technological skills as technology had changed the landscape of music distribution and consumption in the world.
He said in doing so, Zimbabwean artistes must keep connected with their African roots in creating music that appeals to its people and export the African sound to the world.
“As we embrace the best forms of entertainment via digital media, we are in dire danger of ignoring our own heritage.
“We now need to re-imagine the best of both worlds and draw on the rich heritage, wisdom and experience that is so closely bound to the very industry we hope to transform.
“ZIMA23 will help us acknowledge the advantages of drawing our rich music heritage into the ongoing re-imagining process. At the very least, our musical heritage needs to be tapped into now. It is time,” said Sibanda.
Zima is set to celebrate and recognise the outstanding achievements of Zimbabwean musicians, artistes, and industry professionals who have shown exceptional talent in their respective fields in the year 2022.
For this year’s edition, there will be 25 categories and submissions will come for 24 of them, with one being a special award — The Lifetime Achievement Award — which will not require any submissions.
Veteran artist Albert Nyathi commended the sponsors who are partnering Zima and encouraged other corporates to come forth.
