Harare — Young artists made an impact at the seventh edition of the National Arts Merit Awards ceremony held at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale on Wednesday.

The glittering occasion had its surprises and shocks as the emerging crop of artists proved their mettle in their areas of expertise. Music - arguably the most followed genre in the arts - had its fair share of surprises.

High riding Sulumani Chimbetu brew a shocker at the occasion when his debut album Ndomusiya Nani? was voted the most Outstanding Album. The new Orchestra Dendera Kings leader shrugged off stiff competition from such favourites as Alick Macheso, Tawanda Mutyebere and Extra Large who were also vying for honours in the same category.

Tongai Moyo's catchy hit Wakanaka was voted the most Outstanding Song. The hard-working star musician was pitted against Sulumani, Josphat Somanje and Macheso. Another shocker was also pulled by St Francis Anglican Waterfalls who beat other favourites in Vabati Vevhangeri, Kutenda Kwevapositori and Chitungwiza Harmony Singers.

Overally, Macheso was the biggest winner in music as he snatched two accolades - Outstanding Musician/Group and People's Choice Award (music) as well. But, it was Oliver Mtukudzi, who many people were convinced that he did not work hard the previous year as his latest album Tsimba Itsoka did not do well on the local music landscape. Shingisai Suluma also returned home empty-handed after being outsmarted by Macheso in the Most Outstanding Musician/Group category.

Film and Television had its own surprises with gospel artiste Sebastian Magacha winning the Outstanding Music Video award for his video Tomudana. Magacha emerged winner in the tightly contested category that also featured Mambokadzi and Native Flash's House of Stone. The City of Kings and Queens maintained its dominance as the epicentre of the arts when actor Prince Zulu from Amakorokoza was voted the Outstanding Actor.

Izolo Yizolo, a television drama written by Thoko Zulu was also voted the Outstanding Screen Production at the occasion where Bulawayo artists shone. Soap opera of the moment - Estate Blues - proved its popularity with film followers when it provided Outstanding Actress in Evangelista Mwatse while the Outstanding Screen Production (film) was scooped by Allan Muwani for his film Eva Adapter.

The media awards had their own during the awards ceremony where veterans took to the podium.

In print media, Herald Deputy News Editor Wonder Guchu emerged a cut above the rest and was pitted against Daisy Jeremani from The Chronicle and Caven Masuku from The Business Express.

In television, Terrence Mapurisana was the winner as he was pitted against his junior Mercy Pote. Mapurisana won the accolade twice in a row and it seems it is now a one-man race. In radio, Takawira Dururu won the accolade as the writer has been hailed for his comprehensive analytical pieces.

Other genres had their own share of surprises and below are the list of winners.

1. Visual Arts

Outstanding 2 Dimensional work - "Option B" by Wycliffe Mundofa

Outstanding 3 Dimensional - "Blooming Flower" by Onias Mupumha

Outstanding Mix Media Work - Berejena by Victor Nyakauru

2. Theatre

Outstanding Actor - Antony Tongani (Madam Speaker Sir)

Outstanding Actress - Kudzai Kambaira (Anatol)

Outstanding Theatrical Production - Madam Speaker Sir

3. Dance

Outstanding Dance Group - Hloseni Arts

Outstanding Female Dancer - Pathisani Nyoni (Thandanani Women Ensemble )

Outstanding Male Dancer - Taurai Moyo (Hloseni Arts)

4. Literary Arts

Outstanding Fiction Book - The Uncertainty of Hope by Valarie Tagwira

Outstanding Children's Book - The Woodcutter by Enock Chihombori

Outstanding First Creative Published Book Work - Coming Home by Olley Tsino Maruma

5. Media Awards

Print - Wonder Guchu

Television - Terence Mapurisana

Radio - Takawira Dururu

6. Film and Television

Outstanding Actor - Prince Zulu (Amakorokoza)

Outstanding Actress - Evangelist Mwatse (The Small House Saga)

Outstanding Screen Music Video - Tomudana by Sebastian Magacha

Outstanding Screen production (television drama) - Izolo Yizolo by Thoko Zulu

Outstanding Screen Production (film) - Eva Adapter

by Allan Muwani

7. Music

Outstanding Musician/Group - Alick Macheso

Outstanding Song - Wakanaka by Tongai Moyo

Outstanding Album - Ndomusiya Nani? by Sulumani

Outstanding Choral Group - St Francis Anglican Waterfalls.

8. Special Awards

Arts Service Award - Tsitsi Dangarembgwa

Arts Personality Award - Lazarus Takawira