A QUINTET of global hit makers will do battle for this year’s coveted International Music Artist of the year gong at the fifth anniversary of the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA), a shortlist of the nominees released has revealed.
Organisers of the prestigious red carpet event announced over 85 nominees across 18 categories covering business, community work, media, sport and culture, literature and music.
The nominees will be subjected to a public vote starting from the 5th of March till the end of April. Thereafter, an expert panel of ZAA judges will sift through the votes and also apply a rigorous research-based assessment to arrive at the final winners.
ZAA Panel Chairperson Dr Martha Chinouya commended the public’s enthusiastic participation in the nomination process as more than 500 nominations were received this year.
“We’ve sifted through all the submissions that were put forward for this year’s event and emerged with a strong field of deserving candidates for recognition this year. People can now visit our website to vote for the nominees who have been shortlisted,” Dr Chinouya said.
The music category is a major highlight and cause for much excitement as it brings together five artistes who have distinguished themselves remarkably over the past year.
Millions across the world have sung along to Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z’s hit track Drunk in Love, but very few know about the track’s Zimbabwean producer, Brian Soko. He’s just become the first Zimbabwean born Grammy winner after the song notched up two awards at this year’s ceremony.
Global recognition … Brian Soko honoured for producing the beat to Beyoncé ‘Drunk In Love’
Joining Soko on the list is another US based artist, emergent R&B star Tinashe Kachingwe.
With millions of Youtube views for her underground mixtapes, Tinashe came over to London in 2013 to headline ZAA’s 2013 event.
The following year, she released her critically acclaimed debut album, Aquarius, which spawned the hit song 2On, featuring rapper Schoolboy Q.
UK-based versatile producer and ‘African dancehall ambassador to the world’, Jusa Dementor, also had a remarkable and highly productive 2014.
With Zim Dancehall finally getting mainstream recognition in Zimbabwe, Jusa has not only contributed to that genre’s burgeoning success but has also fired up the spiritual home of the music – Jamaica.
One of his major 2014 highlights was his production of the ‘Evidence Riddim’ which features a clutch of Jamaican heavyweights including Demarco, I-Octane and Jah Vinci.
Headline performer Tinashe Kachingwe at ZAA 2013 … Tinashe Kachingwe
Also weighing in with an illustrious 2014 firmly under his belt is US-based producer Tinashe Sibanda aka T-Collar, who co-produced the hit song Them Girls Be Like for the US girl group Fifth Harmony’s debut album, Reflection.
Zimbabwe-based mbira songstress Hope Masike’s hard grinding work ethic saw her traverse the globe dishing out Mbira vibes from Asia to America and back to Africa, all in her stride.
Fuller profiles of this year’s nominees will be made available on the zimachievers.com website to provide the voting public with helpful information about the achievements of all the shortlisted candidates.
This year’s ZAA will be held on the 9th of May at the five-star Royal Garden Hotel in London’s affluent Kensington district. With spectacular views of Kensington Palace, and the magnificent Kensington Gardens, the hotel provides a fitting aura of splendour to what is set to be an unforgettable event.
ZAA Executive Director Brian Nyabunze urged the public to take advantage of the current ticket discount which will be ending soon with prices reverting to the standard £89.95 from the current £69.95.
“Our world class ticketing system allows you to choose your seats alongside your companions on the night.
“Groups and corporate bodies that would like to buy tables can also pick the best location in the auditorium, although such choices will increasingly become limited over the next couple of weeks. So hurry and book your table now,” Nyabunze said.
The ZAA is the premier platform within the UK Zimbabwean community for recognising and celebrating the achievements of people of Zimbabwean heritage.
Last year’s event at the Royal Garden Hotel proved a hit with guests and organisers have promised to up the bar as the awards body celebrates its fifth anniversary at the same venue.
ZAA 2015 NOMINEES
BUSINESS AWARDS
Company of the Year
Initiative Logistics Ltd
Save Mari
Local Care Force
Coedma Freight International Ltd
Couture and Tiara Bridal
Female Entrepreneur
Mariegold Chanellor
Lisa Chuma
Fungai Ndemera
Pamela Kafesu
Nicola Holden
Male Entrepreneur
Samuel Rutsito
Tafadzwa Biston
Godfrey Mushandu
Leo Dhliwayo
Phil Makekera
COMMUNITY AWARDS
Community Organisation
Ladies of UK (LUK)
The 4cs (Climate Change Community Champions)
Jenny Msonza Foundation
Ndoro Children’s Charity
Zvirikufaya (Kedha TV)
Community Champion
Dr Brighton Chireka
Florence Jemwa
Rutendo Nyatsine
Tarisai Mellisa Nhau
Dark Zac
CREATIVE AWARDS
Fashion Designer
ZUWA Re
Prelim Clothing
Tangerine (Ka’Yanda Collections)
Rambisayi Marufu (Tarivamwe Clothing)
Pam Samasuwo Nyawiri (Vanhu Vamwe)
Author of the Year
Epi Mabika
Tendai Huchu
Rudo Muchoko
Daniel Sebata
Innovation
Zimstock App
SaveMari.com
Moses Marandu
MEDIA & CULTURE AWARDS
Media Organisation
Zimlink
ZimboLive TV
Zimonline Radio
News of the South
Zollywood
Radio Presenter/Club Dj of the Year
Lady Bimma
Young Chidzy
Simply Dubz
Dj Field Marshal
Dj Cosmo
Event of the Year
Miss Zimbabwe UK 2014
UHURU
Sungano Zimpraise
All White Boat Party
Zim Cup Clash
MUSIC AWARDS
International Music Artist
Tinashe
Hope Masike
Brian Soko
Jusa Dementor
Tinashe Sibanda
International Gospel Music Artist
Pride Priestly
Joseph Madziyire
Takesure Zamar Ncube
Lloyd Tevedzai
Mkhululi Bhebhe
SPORTS AWARDS
Sports Personality of the year
Charles Manyuchi
Rebekah Oberholzer
Collen Makaza
Stanley Madiri
Gavin Mkandla
SPECIAL AWARDS
Young Achievers
Charles Chavi
Jay Sim
Becka Maphosa
Tamara Msimanga
Sakhile Classique
SmiloArt
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
People’s Choice
Ivy Mango Chatora
Lloyd Tevedzai
Tafadzwa Biston
Mariegold Chanellor
Pamela Kafesu
Personality of the Year
Heather Shekede
David Zinyama
Tendai Maphosa
Linda Sekai
Alex Magaisa
Tourism Award
Vayeni
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wild Life Management
The Hide Safari
Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
Imbalabala Zambezi Safari Lodge