Efforts to revive ChiTown awards in motion
ORGANISERS of the Chitungwiza Music Entertainment and Lifestyle Awards (CMELA) are making efforts to revive the awards, which were last held three years ago.
CMELA is appealing for support from wellwishers and corporates.
The awards, launched in 2016, are a platform to celebrate the achievements of artistes from Chitungwiza.
While the 2019 edition of the awards could not take place due to logistical challenges, last year, they were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style, CMELA cofounder Bruce “Teela” Gopito expressed optimism that the awards would be held before year end.
“We have already started preparations for a comeback having been affected by many challenges that include COVID-19. “We want this event to be very memorable. “So in our efforts we have started engaging potential sponsors and seeking partnerships,” he said.
“We need sponsorship because we are planning to make this year’s awards ceremony bigger and better.
“The awards can help many people achieve their dreams. We are aiming to improve and lift up our artistes to higher levels.”
Teela said a call for entries woulwd be made in October and they would invite work produced from 2019 to this year.
“Come October, we will be calling for entries for work produced from October 11, 2019 to October 2021. We pray that come what may, the red carpet event will come to life,” he said.
“Quite a number of issues affected us last year.
“We had no sponsorship and the content released during the lockdown was not that much.
“That is why we are stretching back to 2019 which was also affected by lack of sponsorship for the event.”
He said this year’s edition of the CMELA awards would honour yesteryear Chitungwiza legends through the ChiTown Honorary Award.
“We look forward to honouring Chitungwiza’s yesteryear celebrities backdating to the 90s through the ChiTown Honorary Award.
“Every year we will have that category as we celebrate yesteryear icons,” he said.
“We would also want to connect with filmmakers, television and radio presenters and others in the creative industry.”