TERENCE MISELO Writes
The prestigious Ngoma Awards founded by the National Arts Council return this December after seven years absence. This reintroduction of the awards that were designed to be held annually back in 2005 was announced at a special re-launch ceremony held at Best Western Plus Hotel in Lusaka on Tuesday.
The Ngoma Awards were introduced to with the basic aim to recognize and award artistic excellence in the various arts genres in Zambia.
Speaking at the re-launch ceremony, NAC chairperson Patrick Samwimbila said the return of the Ngoma Awards is emotional and exciting.
“The return of these awards is really an emotional and exciting experience for a lot of us gathered here,” said Samwimbila to an audience comprising journalists, artistes from various sectors and top stakeholders in the arts industry.
“True to our motto; ‘Putting Value on the Arts’ we are determined to rebrand the awards, raise the bar of excellence and prestige, sustain and heavily market them locally and internationally.”
And gracing the event which was also attended by former NAC chairpersons, Ambassador Mumba Kapumpa and Mulenga Kapwepwe, acting Minister of Tourism and Arts Joyce Nonde said the Ngoma Awards are very unique as they seek to honor artistes in various forms and genres.
She said she was pleased to note that apart from awarding living artistes, the Ngoma Awards pays special tribute to deceased artistes and heroes by tagging their names to awards and categories.
“I am reliably informed that you have honoured and named legends like Paul Ngozi, Henry Tayali, Gwendoline Konie, Augustine Lungu, Jomwa Msinje Mwale, Lilly Tembo, Mapopa Mtonga among others, which is very gratifying,” said Hon. Nonde.
Meanwhile it was announced that this year’s Ngoma Awards will take place on December 7th and as such a call for nominations has begun. Entries and submissions for the nominations in the various categories will therefore close on Thursday October 31st while finalists will be announced on November 5th.
