Zimbabwean artistes who excelled in their disciplines last year will be honoured tonight at this year's edition of the National Art Merit Awards at the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare. As of yesterday afternoon, the majority of the artistes who were nominated for the various categories on offer who stay outside Harare were beginning to arrive for the arts fete that is promising fireworks.

Apart from the glitz and glamour that is normally associated with winning such an award, there is the fun and entertainment that comes with the occasion as there are a number of guests billed to entertain the crowd.

The performing groups include Siyaya Arts from Bulawayo and Harare-based outfits Creative Arts Ensemble, Prince Edward Jazz Band and urban grooves singer Cindy Munyavi.

The performers have been fine-tuning their acts ahead of the awards presentation ceremony.

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe assistant director arts promotions and development, Audrey Charamba, said they were impressed by the excitement that people were showing ahead of the awards ceremony tonight.

"There is a lot of excitement among Zimbabweans for the awards ceremony and we have been inundated by requests from people requesting for access to the event.

"This alone shows that people are cognisant of the Nama event. But the fact is that we can't have the whole of Zimbabwe attending the ceremony since it is strictly by invitation," she said.

Charamba urged members of the public to keep on voting through SMS and online for the People's Choice Awards, which will close an hour before the ceremony.

"We are urging people to vote for the People's Choice Awards through the website of one of our partners, Zimbo Jam, as well as through SMS.

"This voting process will close an hour before the start of the event.

"We are also encouraging people to vote for artists in other genres for the People's Choice Awards because people are in the habit of voting for music alone ahead of other genres," she said.

Artistes expected to battle for top honours in the awards include gospel music's man of the moment, Blessing Shumba, Pastor Charles Charamba, Sabastian Magacha.

Alick Macheso, Suluman Chimbetu, actresses Edith Katiji and Evangelista Mwatsa will also battle it out in their stables.

In the media awards category, journalists Mtandazo Dube (The Sunday Mail), Tony Monda (The Herald) and Khulani Nkabande (News Day) are in the running for the top accolade.

The categories are: Outstanding Screen Production, Outstanding Music Video, Outstanding Dance Group, Outstanding Mixed Media Work, Outstanding Theatrical Production, Outstanding Three Dimensional Work and Outstanding Arts Reporter (Electronic, Radio), among others.