The 20th edition of the Ngoma Awards, Zambia’s most prestigious national arts award ceremony celebrated artistic excellence across music, theatre, comedy, fashion, visual arts, community theatre, and creative writing on December 11, 2025. Organized annually by the National Arts Council of Zambia, the awards honour outstanding achievements and contributions to the country’s vibrant creative industries.
The awards brought together artists, performers, producers, and creatives from across Zambia and the region, with winners taking home accolades, recognition, and growing influence in their fields.
🎵 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
😂 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
