Harare, February 21, 2012 -Stunner, the Zimbabwe urban groover whose song Godo was expected to scoop awards at the prestigious National Arts Merits Awards (Nama) at 7 Arts theatre in Harare last Saturday lost out to the less favourite, Charles Charamba’s Nyika Zimbabwe.

Another shocker was Mutare-based musician, Blessing Shumba’s Ndimwari who beat crowd favourite Winky D in the award for outstanding album. He also brushed aside another topdog Sulumani Chimbetu’s Non Stop.
 
Winky D was to be defeated again when he was grouped with top acts Alick Macheso and Suluman Chimbetu for the outstanding musician or group award.

Macheso also failed to pick up that one Sulu smiled all the way to the podium. However, Winky D won the People’s Choice Award in music.

Although the comedian, Carl Joshua Ncube was irresistible with his comic one liners as the compare, there was silence when the late Tendai Mupfurutsa received the National Arts Service Award for his outstanding contribution to the arts industry. People were reminded of the death of the iconic star who helped young musicians up the ladder and was himself a media favourite because of his humbleness and dedication to the arts industry.

There was also a moment of reflection when Cindy sang the ballad Hatina Musha Panyika in memory of the departed stars.

Michael Southall won the outstanding actor award in Jesus My Boy. 

In the Dance Category the outstanding dance group award went to Umkhathi Theatre Works and Mitchell Nativille was awarded the outstanding female dancer.

Shimmer Chinodya’s Tindo’s Quest published by Longman Zimbabwe won an award in the outstanding children’s book category.

Former Big Brother Africa contestant, Munyaradzi Chidzonga was awarded for outstanding actor for his role as the twin in The Gentleman in a group with Ben Sibenke in Studio 263 and George Tanjani, Benson in New Dawn.