Zambia’s most prestigious celebration of artistic excellence, the Ngoma Awards, is gearing up for its 20th edition this December, marking a significant milestone in the country’s cultural history.

Established in 1997 by the National Arts Council of Zambia under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, the Ngoma Awards have long served as the nation’s official platform for recognizing and celebrating creative talent across a wide array of disciplines.

The awards honor achievements in, Music, Theatre (both stage and community), Creative writing, Visual arts, Media arts, Traditional music and dance, Fashion and comedy, which were added in recent years to reflect evolving cultural expressions.

After a six-year hiatus, the Ngoma Awards were relaunched in 2019 with a renewed focus on inclusivity, innovation, and excellence, expanding their reach and relevance in Zambia’s dynamic creative landscape.

The upcoming 2025 edition promises exclusive partnerships, elevated production standards, and broader community engagement, reinforcing the awards’ role as a catalyst for cultural pride and economic empowerment.

Over the past 28 years, the Ngoma Awards have honored more than 1,000 artists, contributing significantly to Zambia’s creative economy and helping to shape a vibrant national identity rooted in artistic expression.

As anticipation builds for this year’s ceremony, the Ngoma Awards continue to stand as a beacon of inspiration for Zambia’s creative community and a testament to the power of the arts in nation-building.

KONKOLA Copper Mines (KCM) has reaffirmed its commitment to Zambia’s cultural and artistic industry by injecting US$100,000 into the 20th edition of the Ngoma Awards, slated for next month.

KONKOLA Copper Mines representative John Kunda said the company believes culture is the “glue that binds communities and shapes national identity.”