REGINALD Matinanga (pictured), the executive director for Scarlet Business Communications, has taken over the reins of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) with an ambitious vision to elevate Zimbabwe’s premier arts showcase.
Teaming up with Events Evolution chief executive officer Talent Banda, Matinanga brings renewed energy and strategic direction to NAMA, aiming to celebrate artistic excellence while attracting long-term partnerships.
With fresh categories like Fashion, and Digital & Visual Arts already added, this new leadership promises to broaden NAMA’s impact and deepen its connection with Zimbabwe’s diverse creative community.
Speaking as the guest of honour at a NAMA Press conference recently, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) director for arts promotion & development Barbra Gotore encouraged creatives from all walks of life to submit entries of their works for the 24th Edition of the NAMAs, which will be held on February 28, 2026 under the theme Fearless Creativity.
Speakers from Scarlet Studios and Events Evolution described the Lion Logo as a symbol of innovation, calmness and innovation embroiled in courage to be bold and succinct on approaching reality.
“This edition comes with a lot of excitement and optimism as we are starting off with the newly appointed event managers, Scarlet Studios and Events Evolution.
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“We commend them for what they have done so far, and we give them our full support.”
Gotore added that the NAMAs are submission-based and encouraged artists to submit works created between December 1, 2024 and November 30, 2025.
On the same note, Gotore announced that NACZ has engaged Alinial Chartered Accountants to monitor the whole process from submissions, nominees to the awards ceremony realisation.
They signed a memorandum of understanding to this effect.
Matinanga said he appreciated what his predecessors Jacaranda Culture Media Corporation did to elevate the NAMAs, while shining the spotlight on the amazing artistic talent we have in Zimbabwe in its diverse forms.
Said Matinanga: “First and foremost, our main focus is to deliver outstanding NAMA events.
“We believe that if our events are exciting, prestigious, well-planned and well-executed, that will make the work to attract strategic partners and create symbiotic relationships a bit easier.
“Consequently, our goal is to create sustainable, long-term, mutually-beneficial partnerships based on tangible benefits and enduring value.”
He highlighted that the issue of award categories falls directly under the jurisdiction of the NACZ, while they remain the event managers.
“So, our main focus is to plan and organise the events. Notwithstanding, we recently helped to organise an artist workshop, where some exciting new categories were suggested,” Matinanga told NewsDay Weekender Life & Style.
“The NACZ were very open and receptive of the new suggestions which are under consideration for upcoming NAMA events.
“Our role is to celebrate the best in Zimbabwean art. The awards serve as a benchmark for excellence in the arts and inspire creativity and innovation within the sector.
“NAMA features a wide range of categories, acknowledging the depth and breadth of Zimbabwe’s artistic talent.”