The Zimbabwe National Arts Merit Awards 2025 winners were announced in Harare on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
The National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA Awards) is a set of awards granted by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe in recognition of outstanding achievements in the arts and culture annually. The categories have differed over the years. The winners in the literary categories in 2023 were David Chasumba, Costa Chayambuka, Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, and Samantha R. Vazhure. In 2024, they were Fatima Kara, Mai Sarungano Folktales, Zibusiso Mabonisa, Memory Chirere, and Ngonidzashe Paradza.
The winners in the different arts categories in 2025 were announced at the Harare Hippodrome on Saturday. Those who won in the literary categories were;
Outstanding Poet
- Kudakwashe Rice
Outstanding First Published Work
- Zagamo the war within, Ray Mawerera, Published by Royalty Books
Outstanding Children’s Book
- Chimbira nedzimwe ngano, Primrose Dzenga, Published by Torch Bearers Trust Books
Outstanding Fiction Book
- Weeping Tomato, Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure, Published by Carnelian Hearts Limited
Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure, a multiple NAMA winner, said, “I am thrilled to share that my novel, Weeping Tomato, has won the National Arts Merit Award for Outstanding Fiction! I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition and honored to see my work celebrated ♥️📚”
Kudakwashe Rice said, “I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude to have received the NAMA (National Arts Merit Award), and I am eternally thankful to God for this precious gift that he has given me.”
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