Nkwazi Unfiltered

Petersen Zagaze joins Nkwazi Unfiltered for a conversation that reaches far beyond the music and the headlines. As one of Zambia’s most outspoken artists, he built a career on challenging politicians, religious leaders, and the status quo, but this discussion reveals the man who exists away from the stage name and the deliberate controversy. He speaks about the unexpected national storm that follo...

On this episode of Nkwazi Unfiltered, Amina Kaunda sits down with Dickson for a different kind of interview. He opens up about growing up in Matero and what that neighbourhood taught him and talks about the careers he considered before law and journalism took over. He also reflects on fatherhood, why he chooses to keep his personal life private, and what he wishes he could tell his 21-year-old sel...

When you're deported from the country you call home, most would pack up their dreams and disappear. Mumba Yachi didn't. He rebuilt his life, embraced both his Congolese roots and his Zambian home, and kept making music that refuses to fit into a box. Since then, the man behind the mealie meal sack suit and the underwear-on-the-head fashion statement has continued to walk his own path. He's won a Z...

Before she became Zambia’s favourite TV presenter, Patricia Ellis spent eight years out of school. She was twelve when her father died, failed her Grade 9 exams, and survived by peeling cassava and waiting tables just to get by. In this episode of Nkwazi Unfiltered, Amina Kaunda sits down with the ZNBC news anchor and actress to walk through the parts of her story most people never hear. Patricia...

Peter Zulu, better known as PZEE on the Red Hot Breakfast Show on Hot FM Zambia, is a voice you already know, but the story behind it might surprise you. Before radio, there were ideas, small hustles, and a moment that sparked something bigger. Watch the full episode and get to know the story behind the voice.

James Sakala joins Chana Musakanya this week on Unfiltered for a conversation about his journey in music, from his early years in Mkushi to discovering his love for songwriting and performing. He reflects on his path from backup singer to solo artist, and what he has learned along the way about faith, discipline, identity, and navigating the Zambian music industry.

Lee Kawanu is one of the country’s most successful football talent scouts. He’s also the founder of Kafue Celtic Football Club - the former home of two of our biggest exports, Enock Mwepu and Patson Daka.  This week, Lee is in the Unfiltered studio to talk about the art of seeing what others can’t, the perks of not gatekeeping, and why he chose to make the beautiful game his life.

The very talented and prolific Frank Sibbuku is a creative who has brought numerous television shows and movies to our screens - including one of the country’s most successful soap operas, Mpali.⁠ ⁠ Once an aspiring rapper, then a comic book artist and illustrator, Frank’s road to the screen has been an interesting one. ⁠We discussed why he left rap behind and how he got his foot in the door at Mu...

A champion is in our midst this week!  Paul Mwanza is a powerhouse who entered the history books in 2024 when he became the first African athlete to be crowned a World’s Strongest Man - a title he returned to defend and retained the following year. He joins us to talk about his unconventional career and the discipline that has put him on multiple podiums and earned recognition from President Hakai...

Lusaka-born and based curator and archivist, Sana Ginwalla is interested in stories - hers, yours, ours. ⁠ In exploring archives, memories, and heritage. ⁠ In visual history and multiple truths. ⁠ ⁠ She is the founder of Everyday Lusaka a project that became a platform and now also includes a gallery dedicated to the documentation of daily life in Zambia, and Zambia Belonging, a counter-archive pr...

Emmanuel Mwanza is determined to leave his mark in society - and he certainly has the determination and discipline to do just that. The visionary founder of E-MARK is our guest on this week’s episode of Unfiltered, and we had the chance to learn from and question the grassroots electronics trader-turned-leading tech entrepreneur. ⁠ ⁠ Emmanuel spoke about growing up as the “favourite” child, and ho...

After a brief modelling stint, Salma Sky stepped back in the studio and eventually became a household name after featuring on hits like ‘Kapiripiri’ and ‘Ruby Ruby’. It’s been almost 15 years since both of those singles were released, and the celebrated musician is still here - still creating, exploring, and having fun.⁠ ⁠ Kamiza Chikula sat down with Salma on this week’s episode of Unfiltered, an...

We're kicking Season 2 off, with a woman who grew up a school-loving bookworm and ended up with four degrees and a successful business by the age of 31 - all while navigating the beautiful chaos of raising twin daughters. ⁠ ⁠ The accomplished, driven, and sometimes misunderstood Dr Kunda Phiri is our guest this week. She’s a familiar face to many - but how much do you really know about her outside...

25 guests down, 0 hosts interviewed...until now. ⁠ ⁠ Chana Musakanya and Kamiza Chikula have spent the year having insightful and entertaining conversations with some of Zambia’s most popular figures; now the mics have turned! ⁠ ⁠ For this special final episode of 2025, they're interviewing each other. Watch them recap their year in interviews and find out if they’re as good at answering questions...

With her distinct and powerful voice, Sampa the Great masterfully blends hip-hop, spoken word, and African traditions into an authentic sound that has garnered her a devoted fan base. Her artistic and professional trajectory has taken her all over the world - gracing the stages of Glastonbury and Coachella along the way!⁠ ⁠ We finally got to sit down with the award-winning artist to discuss her or...

Fisho Mwale. ⁠The entrepreneur, former Mayor of Lusaka, and co-founder of Yalelo, one of Zambia's leading aquaculture companies, is our unfiltered guest this week.⁠ ⁠ Mwale discusses the financial highs and lows of his career, the challenges of public service, and the personal losses he’s incurred along the way. He also recounts Yalelo's early days and flirts with the idea of writing a memoir.⁠ ⁠...

When you go viral for the wrong reasons, crawling under a rock would be a decision many would understand, but Naomie Pilula didn't. She opted to continue living her life and showing up unapologetically. Since then, the University of Cavendish-educated lawyer has gained significant international attention (including an interview with People magazine) and followers on social media, where she uses he...

Dr Aaron Mujajati's had to learn how to walk twice, failed Grade 7, and to his surprise, ended up a doctor. Today, he uses social media and humour to teach Zambians about health.  The very busy doctor made a studio call, and we had an insightful conversation about his growing up in Chaisa, why he chose hospitals over courtrooms, and conquering medical school at UNZA.

Kamiza Chikula sits down with Dr Gabriel Pollen, the Permanent Secretary in Zambia’s Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, a proud member of the 5 a.m. club, a passionate motorcyclist, and a relentless pursuer of self-improvement. The two spoke about Pollen’s work ethic, the challenges that redirected his path, and why he believes personal discipline is the foundation for serving oth...

Pamela Pio, General Manager - Corporate Services and Company Secretary for our sponsor, MTN Zambia! Pio is a seasoned legal professional with extensive expertise across diverse areas, including mining, energy, and diplomacy.  Through her work, Pio plays a crucial role in ensuring MTN Zambia operates with integrity, compliance, and strong corporate governance.  She took us through her professional...

Known as "The Radical Entrepreneur," Dumisani Lingamangali Ncube is a businessman, author, and motivational speaker who started his journey by selling geography pamphlets as a teenager. Ncube's incredible story of building the multi-faceted DLN Group from the ground up proves just how far ambition paired with hard work can take you.

The legendary frontman (and sole surviving founding member) of W.I.T.C.H., Emmanuel "Jagari" Chanda, graces us with his presence! ⁠ ⁠ Chanda founded the band that would become known as the "Zambian Beatles" in 1972, with them recorded the country's first commercial album, and endured decades of silence as economic collapse and tragedy claimed the lives of his bandmates.⁠ ⁠ After nearly 40 years aw...

A giant of the Zambian film industry, Lawrence Thompson is a filmmaker and producer known for his work on Kabanana, Makofi, and Can You See Us?, the first Zambian film to premiere on Netflix. Thompson began his career as a cameraman for international broadcasters, including Reuters and The Associated Press, before founding Centripetal Media Zambia. In this sit-down, we delve into his childhood in...

Rodney Sikumba lost both of his parents early on in life, but that didn't hamper him from making something of himself. He graduated from university, climbed the corporate ladder at companies like Zain and Samsung, and then made the bold decision to return home and pick up where he left off. In this episode, we had a spirited conversation with Zambia’s Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of the UN...

Theology graduate turned urban activist, Chitambala “Simon” Mwewa is one of Lusaka's most recognisable faces. Although best known for filming street-level commentary while navigating market vendors and challenging civic authorities, there's more to him than meets the eye.   The mics have turned, and today, Mwewa joins us to talk about his unexpected deportation from the United States, stepping int...