Much anticipation has been gripping the city of Bulawayo, what with the now coveted NAMA awards being finally hosted here for the first time.

445 entries vying for 33 categories were timeously submitted to beat the 30 November 2012 deadline. The categories among others span music, literary arts , visual arts, film and television.Of course, Bulawayo-based artists might have been hoping for a rout considering that most of the entries emanated from locals. Hopefully, the just released list of nominees does not prove to be the proverbial rain on Bulawayo's parade.Yes, Dudu Manhenga a home girl, is the chairperson of the nominating committee! But seriously, the most important dynamic in such activities, is to divest the adjudication process of any semblance of bias or conflict of interest. That being said, Dudu an accomplished artist and world-acclaimed artist in her own right, along with others, can be deemed amply qualified to lead a process that recognises the excellent work of other artists. Peer review is the norm even with the GRAMMIES.The wider public is allowed the opportunity to "vent" through categories such as the People's Choice awards whereby they would cast votes via mobile phone or some such medium.

I do not however, expect any local artist to win the outstanding song category for instance simply because there are no nominees. The Zimbabwean air waves can do with a little more "liberty" if you get my drift? Here is the thing: if you are not played on radio, then people do not know about you. With time, this scenario must and will have to change because there is a lot of good music being made in this and other cities that does not make the playlists for some strange reason.

Of course there is the rest of the country to think about and therefore I just don't get how a group such as Mokoomba failed to make the grade. Sulu Chimbetu is good but to me he is just a lucky boy riding on daddy's coat tails and sizeable catalogue. He hasn't earned his stripes enough to be placed ahead of Mokoomba who clawed thier way out of obscurity to global prominence. If you want my opinion, they will do better than the Bhundu Boys who played to capacity crowds at Wembley (in the popular music universe that is the flipping holy grail!). Mokoomba are a world class act hailing from Victoria Falls who have literally run riot in the global market. Their nascent career can only be ignored by those who are blissfully ignorant and cluessless about the entertainment industry. Just google them and you will understand what I mean. They showed out at the INTWASA ARTS FESTIVAL 2012 and on many other stages just why music critics and connoiseurs are raving about them. If anything, they should have received a special mention for acquitting themselves so powerfully on the world stage. OK , before I convert you let us take a look at what has been presented as the list of nominees for the 2012 NAMA (National Merit Awards) :

LITERARY ARTS

Outstanding Fiction Book

Promises On The Wind by Kawengo Samachai (Benaby Printing & Publishing) Lazaruses and Devases by Wellington Kusema (Heritage Press, UK)

Writing Free edited by Irene Staunton (Weaver Press)

Where To Now edited by Jane Morris (Amabooks)

Outstanding Children's Book

Fear Not My Brother by George Mujajati (Longman Zimbabwe)

Tindo's Quest by Shimmer Chinodya (Longman Zimbabwe)

Outstanding First Creative Published Work

Chandakazviitira by Stancellous Matoreva (Mambo Press)

Gweja Nyumwawo by Reason Kufonya (Lleemon Publishers)

The African Tea Cosy by Violet Masilo (Zimbabwe Women Writers)

DANCE

Outstanding Male Dancer

Hebson Chigodora Ncube - Umkhathi Theatre Works

Macintosh Jerahuni

National Ballet Peter Lenso - Tumbuka

Outstanding Female Dance

Mitchell Natville - National Ballet

Faith Moyo - Umkhathi Theatre Works

Outstanding Dance Group

National Ballet of Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls Ubuntu bomuntu

Umkhathi Theatre Works

THEATRE

Outstanding Actress

Evangelista Mwatse in Colours of Dreams

Sandra Chidawanyika in In the Continuum

Edith Katiji in The Comeback

Outstanding Actor

Zenzo Nyathi in Indigenous Indigenous Indigenous

Michael Kudakwashe in Burn Mukwerekwere

Michael Southall in Jesus My Boy

Outstanding Theatrical Production

Indigenous Indigenous Indigenous, directed by Daves Guzha and produced by Rooftop Promotions

Burn Mukwerekwere, directed by Blessing Hungwe produced by NKM Productions

No Voice No Choice directed and produced by Tafadzwa Muzondo

MUSIC

Outstanding Choral Group

No nominees

Outstanding Song

Godo by Desmond Chideme aka Stunner

Nyika yeZimbabwe by Charles Charamba

Bhosvo by Sebastian Magacha

Outstanding Album

NdiMwari by Blessing Shumba

Pa Kitchen by Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky D

Non Stop by Sulumani Chimbetu

Outstanding Musician /Group

Alick Macheso

Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky D

Sulumani Chimbetu

VISUAL ARTS

Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work

Our Own Produce by Boarding Dzinotyiwei

The Darkest Hour of the night by Joseph Mutsura

Limitless Diversity by Calvin Chimutuwah

Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work

Blanket of Life by Rickson Zavare

Nguva Yekupembera by Boet Nyariri

The Book of Good and Evil by Israel Israel

Outstanding Mix Media Work

Barika by Forbes Mushipe

Gava Rakadimbura Musungo by Victor Nyakauru

Nzou Samanyanga by Dominic Benhura

FILM & TELEVISION

Outstanding Actor

Ben Sibenge aka Mr Shereni in Studio 263

Munyaradzi Chidzonga aka The Twins

Tawana & Takunda Toga in The Gentleman

George Tanjani aka Benson in New Dawn

Outstanding Actress

Caroline Mashingaidze aka Zodwa in New Dawn

Sitshengisiwe Siziba aka Tete in Mudiwa

Nothando Nobengula aka Sophia Moyo in The Long Night

Outstanding Screen Production (Film)

Pfuma produced & directed by Jasen Mphepho

The Long Night produced by Willard 'Slimaz' Magombedze, directed by Beauty Nakai

Tsuro The Gentleman produced by Rufaro Kaseke directed by John Njagu

Outstanding Screen Production (Television Drama)

Go Chanaiwa Go produced by Shupai Kamunyaru directed by Von Tavaziva

The Team produced & directed by Rumbi Katedza

New Dawn produced & directed by Jasen Mphepho

Outstanding Screen Production (Television Soap)

No nominees

Outstanding Music Video

Chigorodanda by Energy Mutodi produced & directed by Venant Mambumina

Grown up kid featuring Tendai Nguni produced by Friends of Joshua Trust Zimbabwe

Taparadza Tega by Pax Gomo, produced by Pax Gomo

Media Awards

Outstanding Arts Reporter (Print)

Mthandazo Dube (Sunday Mail)

Tony Mhonda (The Herald)

Khulani Nkabinde (News Day)

Outstanding Arts Reporter (Electronic: Radio)

Nqobile Malinga (ZBC)

Phillipa Makazhu (ZBC)

Esnath Matsilele (ZBC)

Outstanding Arts Reporter (Electronic: Television)

Hazvinei Sakarombe - Woza Friday

Terence Mapurisana - ZBC News