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.
\nOrganisers of the prestigious red carpet event announced over 85 nominees across 18 categories covering business, community work, media, sport and culture, literature and music.
\nThe 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.
\nZAA Panel Chairperson Dr Martha Chinouya commended the public’s enthusiastic participation in the nomination process as more than 500 nominations were received this year.
\n“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.
\nThe 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.
\nMillions across the world have sung along to Beyonc\u00e9 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.
\nGlobal recognition … Brian Soko honoured for producing the beat to Beyonc\u00e9 ‘Drunk In Love’
\nJoining Soko on the list is another US based artist, emergent R&B star Tinashe Kachingwe.
\nWith millions of Youtube views for her underground mixtapes, Tinashe came over to London in 2013 to headline ZAA’s 2013 event.
\nThe following year, she released her critically acclaimed debut album, Aquarius, which spawned the hit song 2On, featuring rapper Schoolboy Q.
\nUK-based versatile producer and ‘African dancehall ambassador to the world’, Jusa Dementor, also had a remarkable and highly productive 2014.
\nWith 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.
\nOne 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.
\nHeadline performer Tinashe Kachingwe at ZAA 2013 … Tinashe Kachingwe
\nAlso 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.
\nZimbabwe-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.
\nFuller 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.
\nThis 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.
\nZAA 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 \u00a389.95 from the current \u00a369.95.
\n“Our world class ticketing system allows you to choose your seats alongside your companions on the night.
\n“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.
\nThe ZAA is the premier platform within the UK Zimbabwean community for recognising and celebrating the achievements of people of Zimbabwean heritage.
\nLast 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.
\nZAA 2015 NOMINEES
\nBUSINESS AWARDS
\nCompany of the Year
\nInitiative Logistics Ltd
\nSave Mari
\nLocal Care Force
\nCoedma Freight International Ltd
\nCouture and Tiara Bridal
\nFemale Entrepreneur
\nMariegold Chanellor
\nLisa Chuma
\nFungai Ndemera
\nPamela Kafesu
\nNicola Holden
\nMale Entrepreneur
\nSamuel Rutsito
\nTafadzwa Biston
\nGodfrey Mushandu
\nLeo Dhliwayo
\nPhil Makekera
\nCOMMUNITY AWARDS
\nCommunity Organisation
\nLadies of UK (LUK)
\nThe 4cs (Climate Change Community Champions)
\nJenny Msonza Foundation
\nNdoro Children’s Charity
\nZvirikufaya (Kedha TV)
\nCommunity Champion
\nDr Brighton Chireka
\nFlorence Jemwa
\nRutendo Nyatsine
\nTarisai Mellisa Nhau
\nDark Zac
\nCREATIVE AWARDS
\nFashion Designer
\nZUWA Re
\nPrelim Clothing
\nTangerine (Ka’Yanda Collections)
\nRambisayi Marufu (Tarivamwe Clothing)
\nPam Samasuwo Nyawiri (Vanhu Vamwe)
\nAuthor of the Year
\nEpi Mabika
\nTendai Huchu
\nRudo Muchoko
\nDaniel Sebata
\nInnovation
\nZimstock App
\nSaveMari.com
\nMoses Marandu
\nMEDIA & CULTURE AWARDS
\nMedia Organisation
\nZimlink
\nZimboLive TV
\nZimonline Radio
\nNews of the South
\nZollywood
\nRadio Presenter\/Club Dj of the Year
\nLady Bimma
\nYoung Chidzy
\nSimply Dubz
\nDj Field Marshal
\nDj Cosmo
\nEvent of the Year
\nMiss Zimbabwe UK 2014
\nUHURU
\nSungano Zimpraise
\nAll White Boat Party
\nZim Cup Clash
\nMUSIC AWARDS
\nInternational Music Artist
\nTinashe
\nHope Masike
\nBrian Soko
\nJusa Dementor
\nTinashe Sibanda
\nInternational Gospel Music Artist
\nPride Priestly
\nJoseph Madziyire
\nTakesure Zamar Ncube
\nLloyd Tevedzai
\nMkhululi Bhebhe
\nSPORTS AWARDS
\nSports Personality of the year
\nCharles Manyuchi
\nRebekah Oberholzer
\nCollen Makaza
\nStanley Madiri
\nGavin Mkandla
\nSPECIAL AWARDS
\nYoung Achievers
\nCharles Chavi
\nJay Sim
\nBecka Maphosa
\nTamara Msimanga
\nSakhile Classique
\nSmiloArt
\nPEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
\nPeople’s Choice
\nIvy Mango Chatora
\nLloyd Tevedzai
\nTafadzwa Biston
\nMariegold Chanellor
\nPamela Kafesu
\nPersonality of the Year
\nHeather Shekede
\nDavid Zinyama
\nTendai Maphosa
\nLinda Sekai
\nAlex Magaisa
\nTourism Award
\nVayeni
\nThe Zimbabwe Parks and Wild Life Management
\nThe Hide Safari
\nCivil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
\nImbalabala Zambezi Safari Lodge<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"