Zim: NAMA Outstanding Breakthrough Artist to perform at Germany’s Moto Moto Festival

The announcement comes as part of a new partnership between NAMA and Moto Moto Festival, which will see the winner receive an all-expenses-paid trip to perform at the prestigious event. The nominees for this year’s Outstanding Breakthrough Artist award include Nisha Ts, Chillmaster, and Young Gemini. The winner will be revealed at the awards ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Harare Hippodrome on 1 March.

In a statement, NAMA expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting its commitment to providing young artists with international exposure.

Speaking to Music In Africa, Moto Moto Festival organiser Plot Mhako emphasised that the partnership aims to create global opportunities for Zimbabwean musicians.

“By collaborating with the Moto Moto Festival, we are giving our Outstanding Breakthrough Artist winner exposure to international audiences, networking opportunities, and a chance to expand their career beyond Zimbabwe,” Mhako said.

He added that the initiative was driven by a commitment to artist development and the need to bridge the gap between Zimbabwean talent and the global music industry.

“Moto Moto Festival serves as a global gateway for Zimbabwean art and culture in Europe, making it a perfect fit for our vision of elevating local artists to international recognition,” he noted.

Meanwhile, NAMA has faced criticism over its nominees list, with some fans and industry figures alleging that the awards scheme overlooks deserving talent in favour of less qualified artists.

Asked whether the Moto Moto Festival would proceed with the partnership despite the controversy, Mhako acknowledged that awards inevitably spark debate, but reaffirmed his commitment to supporting emerging artists.

“While I acknowledge that awards will always generate discussion, our focus remains on celebrating artistic excellence. The Moto Moto partnership is not about any single list of nominees, it is about creating long-term opportunities for rising artists. We believe in nurturing Zimbabwean talent and will continue to provide platforms for growth, regardless of the conversations surrounding individual nominations,” he said.