Nkwazi Unfiltered

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 talks honestly about the long fight to finish her education, her early days in radio, and what it actually took to earn a seat behind the main news desk.

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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.⁠
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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 Muvi TV. Frank also took us through some parts of his creative process, being a proudly Zambian director, and the challenges of the film industry. 

We were also fortunate enough to hear about his relationship with and the devastating loss of one of his leading ladies, the much-loved Wanga Zulu. ⁠

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 Hakainde Hichilema, his modest beginnings, and how the untimely passing of his son inspired him to reach new heights.

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. ⁠
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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 of what she chooses to share on social media? ⁠⁠

We spoke about what drew her to medicine (the answer may surprise you!), her desire to succeed, and why she continues to share despite the weight of public perception and the labels others have placed on her. ⁠