Nkwazi Unfiltered

How does one go from never having sought attention to being a "rebel" who is unafraid to speak truth to power?  Linda Kasonde didn't set out to become the kind of woman who challenges power structures and fights for democracy, but between her childhood in Lusaka and Swaziland, her work as a lawyer, and her journey as a feminist advocate, she found her voice and decided to use it.

When Sonny Zulu, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Zambia, joined our host Kamiza Chikula for this episode, we knew it would be a good one! Sonny shared humorous anecdotes from his childhood (including a story we're sure his older brother didn't live down for many years!), spoke about workplace failure, and expanded on his belief that every role is a platform for finding meaning and a deeper purpose...

In this episode of Nkwazi Unfiltered, our host Chana Musakanya sits down with Panji Banda – corporate leader, radio storyteller, and stand-up comedian – for a rich, reflective, and entertaining conversation about life, work, and the art of staying curious.  Known to many as “Mr Coca-Cola,” Panji reflects on growing up in a bustling household on Zambia's Copperbelt, falling in love with radio durin...

Monica Musonda walked away from a successful global career to build something of her own - from scratch. On this week's episode of Nkwazi Unfiltered, the Founder and CEO of Java Foods, one of Zambia’s leading food manufacturing companies, sits down with our host, Chana Musakanya, for a frank and insightful conversation.  This episode is proudly sponsored by MTN Zambia, connecting you to the people...

In this episode of Nkwazi Unfiltered, we sit down with Dana Patel, a Zambia-based photographer whose quiet, striking images have earned her a devoted following and international recognition. Dana has captured everything from jacaranda-lined roads to intimate moments of Zambian life, and through her lens, she’s often able to tell stories that go unnoticed. Our host, Chana Musakanya, explores Dana’s...

We sit down with Jito Kayumba, Special Assistant to the President for Economic and Development Affairs. From humble beginnings to holding one of the most influential advisory roles in Zambia, Jito shares a journey rooted in discipline, strategy, and service. He also looks back on his early struggles and the important lessons he learnt during his time abroad.

In this episode of Nkwazi Unfiltered, we sit down with Lulu Haangala-Wood ( ‪@luluhaangala4899‬ ), media pioneer, co-founder of The Wood Kitchen ( ‪@woodkitchenz‬ ) and a powerhouse of creativity and intentionality.  With a career spanning over two decades, Lulu has lit up Zambia’s media landscape through television, storytelling, and authentic community-building. Join our host Chana Musakanya as...

In this episode of Nkwazi Unfiltered, we sit down with Jane Mazimba ( ‪@JayneMazimba‬ ) an award-winning personal finance educator, strategist, and author. Jane’s journey from debt to financial independence is a story of resilience, intentionality, and transformation. She opens up about her experiences as a single mother, her mindset shift around money, and how she used social media as an accounta...

With over 20 years of experience in aviation, Captain Josias Walubita, the Director of Flight Operations at Proflight Zambia, has flown the skies from Zambia to international destinations, balancing the demands of leadership with his passion for flying. We explore Captain Walubita’s path from a young aviation enthusiast to a seasoned pilot and industry leader. He shares insights into the realities...

In this episode of Nkwazi Unfiltered, we sit down with Komba Malukutila, the CEO of MTN Mobile Money Zambia and one of the youngest fintech leaders in the region. With a remarkable journey from intern to industry leader, Komba has played a pivotal role in shaping Zambia’s digital finance landscape, driving financial inclusion, and redefining leadership in the fintech space. Komba also opens up abo...

We're honoured to welcome Natasha Omokhodion ( ‪@natashaomokhodion1160‬ ), an acclaimed Zambian author of Nigerian and Jamaican heritage. Her debut novel, No Be From Hia, was a finalist for the Graywolf Press Africa Prize in 2019 and has garnered international acclaim. Join our host, Chana Musakanya, as we delve into Natasha's journey of self-discovery through writing. We explore how her diverse b...

Mulenga Kapwepwe is many things, and it can be difficult to know where to start describing her. She is a cultural activist, born of a famed family, author, storyteller, artist and co-founder of the Women's History Museum of Zambia, among many other things.  We sat down with her to discuss her latest novel ('Perfect Marriage'), traditional Bemba marriage rites, growing up as the daughter of freedom...

Celebrated musician Esther Chungu ( @estherchungu1018 ) joins us in the studio to discuss what's keeping her busy these days, how becoming a mother has altered her life in every way, and sharing the stage with British rock band Coldplay in New York. Esther also shared her love of being in the media space and not shying away from hard conversation on her talk show. She was vivacious, candid, and jo...

Our new podcast, Unfiltered, is here! Our first guest, Pompi ( ⁠‪@PompiMusicTV‬⁠ ), is no stranger to Nkwazi, having appeared in our magazine's print and online editions a number of times. However, in this conversation, we delved deeper into his story, career, values, family life, and much more with host Chana Musakanya.