Ngoma Awards 2025: Full Winners List

El PudiDecember 17, 2025

2 minutes read

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

Best Song of the Year: Follow — Triple M
Best Male Musician: Yo Maps
Best Female Musician: Xaven
Best Collaboration: Aye by Nez Long, Xaven & Yo Maps
Best Producer: Melar Beats
Best Male Regional Music Artist: Winky D (Zimbabwe)
Best Female Regional Music Artist: Cleo Ice Queen

Theatre (Stage / NATAAZ) Winners

Best Production: Shadows of the Light
Best Actor: Brian Kambenja (Brother Handiya’s PHD)
Best Actress: Chimanga Munalula (Brother Handiya’s PHD)
Best Director: Dauti Leo Simukoko & Henry Joe Sakala (Shadows and Light)

Fashion Winners

Best Female Model: Faith Bwalya
Best Male Model: Mr Mulwanda

Comedy Winners

Best Online / Social Media Comedian: Maza Comedy
Best Male Stand-Up Comedian: King Paul
Best Female Stand-Up Comedian: Nakulu Sekanayo
Best Skit Comedy Piece: Maza Comedy

Visual Arts Winners

Best Female Visual Artist: Mwamba Chikwemba
Best Male Visual Artist: Kulu Sikazwe
Best Two-Dimension Artist: Mulenga Mulenga
Best Three-Dimension Artist: Chishimba Nyirenda

Community Theatre Winners

Best Community Theatre Project: Kabwe Ka Mukuba & Sexual Abuse
Best Community Theatre Innovation: Afronaunts
Best Community Theatre Practitioner: Gift Chansa
Most Consistent Community Theatre: Tusole Theatre

Creative Writing Winners

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

Best Male Dancer: Tyson Mweetwa
Best Female Dancer: Beatrice Mulenga
Best Costume: Ukuhlangana Isibaya Dance Troupe
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:

Mr. Alec Mugala — for his immense contribution to the Arts
Annie Katamanda — honoured for her legendary impact and dedication
Ba Yoka — recognised for his outstanding musical legacy that continues to inspire generations

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