Nkwazi Unfiltered

On this Independence Special, Betty Chilunga joins Nkwazi Unfiltered to share her story as a freedom fighter during Zambia’s struggle for independence. She takes us back to her early years, like at Chipembi Girls’ School, where her interactions with politically active families helped shape her understanding of colonial rule and racial inequality. She recounts how her home in Zambezi became a meeti...

Lieutenant Colonel Victor Simukonda, better known as Victor Simz or The Z Historian, is on a mission to uncover the parts of Zambia’s history that many of us never got to learn about. On this week’s episode of Nkwazi Unfiltered, Victor sits down for a conversation about his journey into history, what inspired him to create The Z Historian, and the stories behind some of his most notable work, incl...

Thabo Kaamba started acting at just eight years old, but it was her role as young Joseph in Can You See Us? that brought her story to a much wider audience. The film went on to become the first Zambian feature film released on Netflix. On this week’s episode of Nkwazi Unfiltered, Thabo sits down for a conversation about growing up with albinism, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the experienc...

El Mukuka joins Nkwazi Unfiltered for a conversation about identity, music, growing up, entrepreneurship as a founder of Gin 1964, being judged by association and the journey that took him from wanting to be a rapper to becoming an internationally recognised DJ and producer. Half Zambian and half Greek, El Mukuka speaks openly about growing up with an absent father, being labelled the “bad kid” be...

Patricia Luhanga joins Nkwazi Unfiltered for a conversation where we get to hear more about her journey, growing up in Northern Province, facing challenges at a young age, rising from being a maid, building a career as Corporate Affairs Manager for the Electoral Commission of Zambia and everything that comes with it. She also talks about her values, family and Kopala side. Listen now! 

He discovered the character “Dorika” at only 13 years old and became one of Zambia’s most talked-about stand-up comedian, Bob Nkosha returns to the mic, but this time for an unfiltered conversation.  In this episode of Nkwazi Unfiltered, he speaks about his childhood, how he discovered he wanted to be an artist at 6 years old, his journey, mentorship, family, legacy and Zambia’s entertainment indu...

Suzyo Shawa, popularly known as Magnate, joins Nkwazi Unfiltered for a conversation about money, betting, fatherhood, confidence, public criticism and the real story behind one of Zambia’s most talked-about online personalities. Known for his bold public image, business mindset and association with the betting industry, Magnate has built a name that attracts attention wherever it appears. In this...

Everyone knows Mix Kasamwa as “The Hardest Ohn in LSK”, but what does life look like behind the jokes, the videos and the public image? In this episode of Nkwazi Unfiltered, Mix Kasamwa opens up about building Lusaka Starter Pack, turning content creation into a career, working with brands, dating in public, dealing with burnout, and the pressure of always being expected to be funny. He also speak...

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...