A ZIMBABWEAN adaptation of a global political classic not only made it to the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMAs) stage — it dominated it.
Zi-Animal Farm, an adaptation of Animal Farm, walked into the NAMAs ceremony with three nominations, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Production.
By the end of the night, it walked away with one of the industry’s highest individual honours, Best Actor under the theatre awards category.
Cadrick Msongelwa, nicknamed Khekhe, who took on the roles of Squealer, Storyteller and Mr Jones, walked away with the Outstanding Actor award, a moment that felt symbolic not only for him, but for the production and the theatre community that rallied behind it.
“When my name was called, everything slowed down for a moment,” Msongelwa recalled in an interview after the ceremony.
“There was shock, gratitude and deep humility all at once. I immediately thought about the journey, the rehearsals, the sacrifices, the long days, the cast and crew who trusted the vision, and the audiences
who showed up.”
The win marked an important milestone for the actor, whose career in theatre spans more than a decade.
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“Winning the Outstanding Actor award at the NAMAs is a huge honour and validation of my hard work and passion for theatre,” he said.
“It motivates me to keep pushing my craft and inspire young people to chase their dreams on stage or in any field they are in.”
For Msongelwa, the recognition was not entirely new territory.
The nomination for Zi-Animal Farm marked his third nomination at the NAMAs and his second win in the Outstanding Actor category with Deathbed, a 2022 Savanna Trust theatre production.
“I’ve been actively involved in theatre and acting for over 10 years,” he explained.
“I started with high school drama productions before progressing to professional stages like this Nama-recognised play.”
Looking ahead, Msongelwa said his focus remained on growth and contribution to the arts.
“My plan is to keep honing my craft, take on diverse roles and explore different career paths within the creative and cultural industry,” he said.
“I also want to continue sharing the skills I have with young actors and give back to the arts community.”
The overwhelming response following his win reinforced just how deeply theatre resonates with communities.
“I have received messages from fellow artists, mentors, former teachers, students and even audience members who have followed my work over the years.
“What has touched me the most is that people feel like this win belongs to them too. It has become bigger than just a personal achievement.
“It feels like a win for a community of theatre lovers in Zimbabwe and abroad, for young creatives in high-density suburbs, and for everyone who believes in telling authentic Zimbabwean stories.”
Yet the significance of Zi-Animal Farm stretches beyond individual achievements.
What makes Zi-Animal Farm particularly resonant is its timing in environments where public conversations can sometimes feel constrained, art becomes one of the spaces where society can explore complex questions through metaphor and storytelling.
On the farm, the animals begin with unity and conviction.
They promise fairness and equality.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, those promises begin to shift.
Language changes. Memory becomes selective. Hierarchies re-emerge.
Zimbabwean audiences did not need explanation to recognise the parallels.
The beauty of allegory lies in its openness; each viewer completes the story in their own mind.
