THE much-publicised Zimbabwe Music Awards (Zima) held on Wednesday night at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) after seven years in hibernation courted controversy on the showbiz scene as winning artistes went home empty-handed.

Various artistes who were rewarded for their works unfortunately went home with nothing as they could not take their trophies home.

Information gathered by NewsDay and later confirmed by the founder of the awards Joseph Nyadzayo reveals that there was only one old trophy which artistes would surrender backstage to be used for the entire ceremony.

Best Afro Pop Music-ExQ.

Despite the event organisers claiming in a series of interviews prior to the event that they had done their ground work to have a glamorous event, many were shamed as what was witnessed at the ceremony contradicted their claims.

Best Dancehall Music-Soul Jah Love.

The event was initially scheduled for October 3 before being pushed to October 29 with Zima’s organising committee claiming that they wanted enough time to prepare to deliver a world-class event.

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South African radio and television personality Randall Abrahams, who was reported to be a special guest, did not attend the ceremony amid allegations that the organisers failed to meet his demands.

Best R&B Soul Music – Audius Mutawarira.

Nyadzayo, founder of the awards, confirmed to NewsDay that they used an old trophy because they faced resources challenges. “We faced a lot of challenges as some of the sponsors who had promised to come on board evaded us towards the grand finale,” Nyadzayo said.

Best Traditional Gospel Music – Mathias Mhere.

“Although we used an old trophy at the ceremony, we have made a new design that will be given to the winners. The trophies are currently in South Africa and our challenge was to fly them on time.”

Best Single – Cynthia Mare.

Nyadzayo pledged to continue hosting the awards and was confident that they would get the maximum support from all sectors next year.

Best Contemporary Choral Music – Pastor Hebert Chigumira standing behalf of UFIC Choir.

“We could not activate more than half of our plans because of the limited resources. We were supposed to have used LCD screens, but we ended up using projectors,” Nyadzayo said.

Best Male – Sebastian Magacha.

He said as much as there had been great debate about awards being accompanied by money, they were not going to offer money to the winners.

Sani Makhalima and Umsindo All Stars cheer one Trevor Dongo (with mic) as they receive their award for the best collaboration.

“An award ceremony is different from a show where artistes come and perform then get paid, but it is a platform for them to be appreciated,” he said.

Cde Chinx looks very shocked after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.

From Nyadzayo’s sentiments, it is yet to be seen whether the artistes will receive their trophies as he could not give an exact date for them to receive the trophies.

Artistes who spoke to NewsDay on condition of anonymity in separate interviews expressed disappointment over the issue of going home empty-handed.

“What Nyadzayo did was really disappointing as someone who was expecting to take his award home,” he said. The awards were also received with mixed feelings by music followers.

“As a nation, let us only stick to Nama (National Arts Merit Awards), not all these bogus awards they are trying to introduce to steal our hard-earned money,” said Brian Ncube of Hatfield.

Artistes who performed at the event include Afrika Revenge who were the opening and closing act alongside Audius Mtawarira, dancehall chanter Soul Jah Love, Cynthia Mare and Mathias Mhere, among others.

Full list of Award winners

Best Traditional Music Winner – Jah Prayzah –Tsviriyo

Best Contemporary Choral Music Winner – UFI Choir

Best Acapella Winner: Black Umfolosi –Summertime

Best Sungura Music Winner: Suluman- Syllabus

Best Hip Hop Music Winner: Tehn Diamond -Tehn Diamond

Best House Music Winner: Khuxxman -Vumelani isangoma

Best R&B / Soul Music Winner: Audius- House of Stones

Best Afro Pop Music Winner: ExQ- Music bank

Best Dancehall Music Winner: Soul Jah love -Ndini Uya Uya

Best Jazz Music Winner: Ruzivo and Clare Nyakujara -Ndega zvangu

Best Traditional Gospel Music Winner: Mathias Mhere- Anoita Minana

Best Contemporary Gospel Music Winner: Sebastian Magacha -Tinaye Faithful God

Best Alternative Music Winner: Cynthia Mare -Songs My Mother Loved

Best Collaboration Winner: Sani Makhalima featuring Umsindo All Stars- Zvachose

Best Single Winner: Cynthia Mare -Zuvarimwe (Dai Zvaibvira)

Best Music Video of the Year Winner: Nick Compas -Ingoma DJ Stavo

Best Producer of the Year Winner: Sani Makhalima -Evolution Reloaded Sanii Makhalima

Best Engineer of the Year Winner: Obediah Matulana -Isimbazu / Chimbadzo Obediah –Matulana

Special category

Best Male Winner: Soul Jah Love- Ndini Uya Uya

Best Female Winner: Cynthia Mare – Songs My Mother Loved

Best New Comer Winner: Malimbah- African Sun

Album Of The Year Winner: Jah Prayzah- Tsviriyo

Best Duo/Group Winner: Malimbah

Best International Achievers: Mokoomba