20th Ngoma Awards Celebrate Zambia’s Creative Excellence Across the Arts
The 20th edition of the Ngoma Awards, Zambia’s most prestigious national arts awards ceremony, was successfully held on December 11, 2025, celebrating excellence and innovation across the country’s creative industries. Organized annually by the National Arts Council of Zambia (NAC), the Ngoma Awards continue to stand as the highest platform for recognizing outstanding artistic achievement at a national level.
This milestone edition honoured creatives across multiple disciplines, including music, theatre, comedy, fashion, visual arts, community theatre, and creative writing. The ceremony highlighted not only mainstream success but also the cultural depth and diversity that define Zambia’s artistic landscape.
Artists, performers, producers, and cultural practitioners from across Zambia and the region gathered for the prestigious event, with winners walking away with accolades that further cement their influence and contribution to the arts sector. Beyond trophies, the awards reinforced the importance of creativity as a driver of cultural identity, economic growth, and national pride.
As the Ngoma Awards mark 20 years of celebrating artistic excellence, the ceremony reaffirmed its role as a cornerstone of Zambia’s creative ecosystem—spotlighting talent, inspiring future generations, and honouring those shaping the nation’s cultural legacy.
Music Awards Winners
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Best Song of the Year: Follow — Triple M
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Best Male Musician: Yo Maps
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Best Female Musician: Xaven
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Best Collaboration: Aye by Nez Long, Xaven & Yo Maps
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Best Producer: Melar Beats
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Best Male Regional Music Artist: Winky D (Zimbabwe)
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Best Female Regional Music Artist: Cleo Ice Queen
Theatre (Stage / NATAAZ) Winners
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Best Production: Shadows of the Light
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Best Actor: Brian Kambenja (Brother Handiya’s PHD)
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Best Actress: Chimanga Munalula (Brother Handiya’s PHD)
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Best Director: Dauti Leo Simukoko & Henry Joe Sakala (Shadows and Light)
Fashion Winners
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Best Female Model: Faith Bwalya
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Best Male Model: Mr Mulwanda
Comedy Winners
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Best Online / Social Media Comedian: Maza Comedy
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Best Male Stand-Up Comedian: King Paul
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Best Female Stand-Up Comedian: Nakulu Sekanayo
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Best Skit Comedy Piece: Maza Comedy
Visual Arts Winners
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Best Female Visual Artist: Mwamba Chikwemba
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Best Male Visual Artist: Kulu Sikazwe
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Best Two-Dimension Artist: Mulenga Mulenga
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Best Three-Dimension Artist: Chishimba Nyirenda
Community Theatre Winners
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Best Community Theatre Project: Kabwe Ka Mukuba & Sexual Abuse
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Best Community Theatre Innovation: Afronaunts
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Best Community Theatre Practitioner: Gift Chansa
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Most Consistent Community Theatre: Tusole Theatre
Creative Writing Winners
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Most Outstanding Male Creative Writer:
Lt Col Francis Kunda (Too Hard to be True) -
Most Outstanding Female Creative Writer:
Chibwe Mulenga (The Silence of Thorns) -
Most Outstanding Prose:
Loyalty to the Girl or to the Gang — Richard Sakala -
Most Outstanding Poetry:
Crisis@30 — Savitir
Traditional Music & Dance Winners
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Best Male Dancer: Tyson Mweetwa
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Best Female Dancer: Beatrice Mulenga
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Best Costume: Ukuhlangana Isibaya Dance Troupe
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Best Dance Troupe: Tusole Theatre and Cultural Ensemble
Chairman’s Award / Lifetime Achievement
Special honours were awarded to icons whose lifelong contributions have left an indelible mark on Zambia’s arts and culture:
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Mr. Alec Mugala — for his immense contribution to the Arts
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Annie Katamanda — honoured for her legendary impact and dedication
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Ba Yoka — recognised for his outstanding musical legacy that continues to inspire generations
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