CENTRAL PROVINCE ON THE MOVE: NAMA Ignites a New Era of Growth, Unity and Opportunity for Artists

KABWE, CENTRAL PROVINCE – 20 JUNE 2026

The National Association of Media and Arts (NAMA) in Central Province has taken a significant step towards strengthening the creative industry following a highly successful Preparatory and Elective Meeting held at St. Peter's UCZ Church in Kabwe.

The landmark gathering brought together members of the Provincial Executive Committee, district coordinators, artists, media practitioners, and creative industry stakeholders from across Central Province. Representatives from Mkushi, Serenje, Luano, Chitambo, and Kabwe attended the meeting, demonstrating the growing commitment among artists to build a stronger and more coordinated creative sector.

The meeting was presided over by Central Province Provincial Coordinator Mr. Patrick Musonda, popularly known as "Bayama ba Emma," and was graced by National Executive Committee Member Mr. Mpalasha Musonda, who represented the National Executive Committee.

Building Stronger Structures for a Stronger Industry

At the heart of the meeting was the desire to strengthen NAMA's presence and operational structures across Central Province. Participants deliberated on strategies aimed at expanding membership, improving communication among artists, and creating opportunities that will contribute to the professional growth and economic empowerment of creatives.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Patrick Musonda thanked the National Executive Committee for its continued support and confidence in the provincial leadership. He emphasized the importance of unity among artists and called upon creative practitioners throughout the province to affiliate with NAMA in order to benefit from the association's programmes and opportunities.

"Our objective is to ensure that every artist in Central Province has access to opportunities for growth, networking, training, and representation. Together, we can build a stronger creative industry that benefits everyone," he said.

Successful Election of Kabwe District Leadership

One of the major highlights of the meeting was the successful election of the Kabwe District leadership structure.

The electoral process was conducted transparently, peacefully, and professionally under the guidance of National Executive Committee representative Mr. Mpalasha Musonda. The newly elected leadership was tasked with immediately commencing work to strengthen district structures, mobilize members, and implement NAMA programmes at grassroots level.

The election marks another important milestone in NAMA's decentralization agenda, which seeks to bring services and opportunities closer to artists in every district of Zambia.

Unlocking Opportunities for Artists

Addressing participants, Mr. Mpalasha Musonda commended the Provincial Executive Committee for its efforts in mobilizing artists and stakeholders across the province.

He highlighted the numerous benefits available to NAMA members, including professional networking opportunities, capacity building initiatives, mentorship programmes, masterclasses, advocacy support, and increased visibility for creative work.

He further emphasized that NAMA remains committed to ensuring that artists are able to monetize their talent and transform their creative skills into sustainable sources of income.

"Artists possess immense talent and creativity. Our responsibility as an association is to create pathways that enable creatives to access opportunities, improve their skills, and generate meaningful income from their work," he said.

Capacity Building Takes Centre Stage

A key outcome of the meeting was the adoption of capacity building as one of the province's highest priorities.

Participants acknowledged the growing demand among artists for practical training in areas such as film production, digital content creation, business management, intellectual property, marketing, and creative entrepreneurship.

To address this need, the province resolved to organize a Provincial Capacity Building Workshop in Kabwe between 25 and 30 August 2026.

The workshop is expected to bring together artists from across Central Province and provide hands-on training facilitated by industry professionals and experienced practitioners. The initiative is aimed at equipping artists with the knowledge and skills necessary to compete effectively in today's rapidly evolving creative landscape.

Preparing for a Provincial Film Project

In a move that generated significant excitement among participants, the province also announced plans to undertake a Provincial Film Project in early September 2026.

The initiative will provide a platform for artists from different districts to collaborate in producing a film that showcases the culture, heritage, stories, and talent found within Central Province.

Beyond promoting local culture, the project is expected to create practical employment opportunities for actors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, editors, cinematographers, producers, and other creative professionals.

The film project is also aligned with NAMA's broader objective of promoting content creation while encouraging collaboration among artists across various disciplines.

Strengthening Membership and Communication

Recognizing the importance of a united creative community, participants resolved to intensify membership recruitment and affiliation campaigns throughout the province.

District leaders committed themselves to reaching out to artists working in music, film, theatre, visual arts, digital media, literature, photography, broadcasting, and other creative fields.

The meeting further encouraged members to actively utilize the NAMA website as the association's primary communication platform. The website will continue serving as a hub for announcements, membership information, training opportunities, events, and industry updates.

A Vision for a Thriving Creative Economy

The Central Province leadership believes that a vibrant creative industry has the potential to contribute significantly to economic growth, youth empowerment, job creation, and cultural preservation.

Through strengthened structures, increased membership participation, regular training programmes, and collaborative projects, NAMA aims to position Central Province as one of Zambia's leading centres of creative excellence.

The enthusiasm displayed during the meeting reflects a shared determination among artists to work together in advancing the province's creative agenda.

Looking Ahead

As the meeting concluded, participants expressed optimism about the future of the arts and media sector in Central Province.

The successful election of district leadership, adoption of a practical roadmap, and commitment to implementing impactful programmes have laid a solid foundation for growth.

With preparations already underway for the Provincial Capacity Building Workshop and the Provincial Film Project, Central Province is demonstrating that when artists unite around a common vision, meaningful transformation becomes possible.

NAMA Central Province continues to move forward with renewed energy, stronger structures, and a clear commitment to empowering artists, creating opportunities, and building a sustainable creative industry that benefits communities across the province and beyond.