Nkwazi Unfiltered

Rodney Sikumba lost both of his parents early on in life, but that didn't hamper him from making something of himself. He graduated from university, climbed the corporate ladder at companies like Zain and Samsung, and then made the bold decision to return home and pick up where he left off.

In this episode, we had a spirited conversation with Zambia’s Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of the UN Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF) about his university days, career trajectory, and how he approaches fatherhood.

He also spoke at length and with a lot of heart about his role as Zambia's #1 ambassador and the work he's doing to position the country as a global tourism capital.
This episode is sponsored by MTN Zambia - connecting you to the people and opportunities that matter most.

#NkwaziUnfiltered #podcast #mtnzambia #WhatAreWeDoingToday #MTNZambiaAt20

Theology graduate turned urban activist, Chitambala “Simon” Mwewa is one of Lusaka's most recognisable faces. Although best known for filming street-level commentary while navigating market vendors and challenging civic authorities, there's more to him than meets the eye.  

The mics have turned, and today, Mwewa joins us to talk about his unexpected deportation from the United States, stepping into the family business, and his determination to preserve his late father's legacy. 

This episode is sponosred by MTN Zambia , connecting you to the people and opportunities that matter most.

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 life. 

Beyond the expected leadership insights and conversations about culture and discipline, you'll also discover a man who is passionate about people, fascinated by the cosmos, and also enjoys being behind the pulpit.

This episode is proudly sponsored by MTN Zambia, connecting you to the people and opportunities that matter most.

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 during the golden age of ZNBC, and how a breakdancing moment in secondary school gave him the courage to bet on himself. 

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 and opportunities that matter most.

#MTNZambia #WhatAreWeDoingToday #MTNZambiaAt20

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 journey from San Diego to Lusaka, from public health graduate to self-taught photographer. Dana also talks about the challenges of cultural transition, the vulnerability of starting over in a new country, and how her camera helped her rediscover her identity and voice.

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 she explores Lulu’s remarkable journey from her early days on screen to building businesses, leading youth initiatives, and balancing her beliefs, family, and ambitions. 

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 accountability tool.

Jane also discusses her book, “Catching F.I.R.E.” (Financial Independence, Retire Early), sharing practical strategies for managing debt, building wealth, and achieving long-term financial security.