The 2022 Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMAs) will be held on 19 February under the theme, Rhythm, Roots and Cultural Diversity. 

The awards seek to recognise deserving musicians in a fair and transparent manner. ZIMAs spokesperson Benjamin Nyandoro says next year’s ceremony is designed to unite the country’s diverse musical roots, rhythms and culture.

“In this edition, we have added new innovative categories to embrace the diverse music culture of Zimbabwe and the obtaining context. The glamorous ZIMAs will be a beautifully disruptive hybrid of a virtual and physical event.”

Nyandoro highlighted a number of achievements by the awards since their return in 2019 after a three-year absence, including the completion of a home for celebrated music icon Comrade Chinx in Harare, and the renovation of the residence of 2021’s Lifetime Achievers, The Cool Crooners in Bulawayo.

He said the ZIMAs had also commissioned a 12-member external adjudication steering committee to oversee and develop the award platform’s rule book. Additionally, more categories have been introduced to ensure better representation and reward musicians who stood out before the establishment of the ZIMAs.

In 2020, the ZIMAs set up a head office in Harare, a move the organisers say repositioned the awards from an event into an institution. The ZIMAs also hosted a music recognition and celebration event at The Country Club in Harare, rebranding itself as a premium event hosting high-profile guests.

In early 2021, the ZIMAs hosted a virtual event that was broadcast on national television ZBC TV and various streaming platforms, reaching about 5 million viewers.

source: musicinafrica.net