FRIENDS OF THE ARTS: NAMA CELEBRATES CREATIVE INDUSTRY CHAMPIONS IN ZAMBIA’S NEW POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

From Supporting the Arts to Serving the Nation, NAMA Congratulates Leaders Who Have Carried the Creative Industry With Them

The National Association of Media Arts, NAMA, warmly congratulates the distinguished members and friends of Zambia’s creative industry who have emerged victorious in the recent elections and taken on new responsibilities in public leadership.

For NAMA, these victories represent more than electoral success.

They represent an important moment for Zambia’s creative industry because some of the individuals now entrusted with public office are people who, even before seeking political office, understood, participated in, supported and championed the arts and creative sector.

They are, in every sense, friends of the arts.

Their journeys demonstrate that the creative industry is not separate from national development. Artists, filmmakers, media practitioners and cultural professionals are citizens who can contribute meaningfully to governance, community development, policy and national leadership.

NAMA therefore celebrates these victories with particular pride and hopes that their connection to the creative industry will remain an important part of their public service.

Mayor Bright Hanakamba, Livingstone

NAMA congratulates Mr. Bright Hanakamba, the newly elected Mayor of Livingstone City.

Before entering civic leadership, Mayor Hanakamba was already part of Zambia’s creative community, including his contribution as a media artist and actor. He famously played the lead role in Falls, the first television series produced in Livingstone.

His journey from the creative industry into civic leadership is a powerful example of the diverse contribution that artists can make to society.

Livingstone is also one of Zambia’s most important cultural and tourism destinations.

With his understanding of the creative sector and his experience within the arts, NAMA believes Mayor Hanakamba is well positioned to appreciate the relationship between culture, tourism, entertainment, film and local economic development.

We hope that his tenure will create even more opportunities for the creative community in Livingstone and strengthen the city's position as a destination for film, cultural production and creative enterprise.

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Mayor Kausheni Mapushi, Kaoma

NAMA also congratulates Mr. Kausheni Mapushi, newly elected Mayor of Kaoma.

Mayor Mapushi is a respected film executive whose contribution to the Zambian film industry includes his work on Njangula, which received recognition at the National Academy Media Awards, NAMA Awards, as Best Indigenous Film.

His election is significant because it places an individual with direct experience of the film industry into a position of public leadership.

NAMA hopes that this experience will continue to inform his work in service to the people of Kaoma, particularly in recognising the potential of young people, artists and creatives as contributors to local development.

The creative industry needs leaders who understand that film, music, theatre, photography, digital content and other creative disciplines can become sources of employment, entrepreneurship and community empowerment.

We believe Mayor Mapushi can be one such champion.

Hon. Michelle Kazala Phiri, Member of Parliament, Chingola Central

NAMA extends its heartfelt congratulations to Hon. Michelle Kazala Phiri, newly elected Member of Parliament for Chingola Central.

Hon. Phiri has a strong connection to Chingola's film industry, having served as an executive producer on numerous productions made in the city.

Her transition from the creative industry into Parliament is another important demonstration of the contribution that creatives can make beyond the traditional boundaries of the arts.

Chingola has a vibrant community of filmmakers, musicians, performers, photographers and other creative practitioners.

NAMA therefore hopes that Hon. Kazala Phiri will continue to recognise and champion the creative community that she has been part of, while using her position in Parliament to support policies and initiatives that create opportunities for young people and strengthen the creative economy.

Her story demonstrates that creative professionals can move from producing stories for audiences to helping shape the future of their communities.

Councillor Albert Muteba, Mwembeshi Ward 31

NAMA also congratulates former Secretary General, Mr. Albert Muteba, on his election as Councillor for Mwembeshi Ward 31 in Lima Constituency, Matero.

Mr. Muteba is not only a newly elected local government leader but also a former leader of NAMA who has contributed to the development of the association and the wider media arts fraternity.

His election is therefore particularly meaningful to the association.

NAMA is proud to see one of its former leaders taking his experience into public service.

We hope that Councillor Muteba will continue to carry with him the values of representation, advocacy and community development that have characterised his engagement with the creative industry.

Hon. Elvis Nkandu, Member of Parliament

NAMA also warmly congratulates Hon. Elvis Nkandu on his election as Member of Parliament.

His contribution to the creative industry and the arts during his time in leadership at the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts has earned him considerable respect within the creative community.

NAMA particularly recognises his role in promoting the arts and advancing important policy conversations affecting Zambia's creative sector.

Among the significant areas in which his leadership was appreciated was the advancement of the Arts and Film Policy, an important step towards creating a clearer policy framework for Zambia's creative industries.

For the creative sector, policies are only meaningful when they move beyond documents and become understood, implemented and translated into practical opportunities for practitioners.

That is why NAMA hopes that Hon. Nkandu will continue to be part of this journey.

We hope for continuity

NAMA sincerely hopes that Hon. Elvis Nkandu will be retained in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts so that the work already undertaken can continue without losing momentum.

The creative industry needs continuity.

It needs leaders who understand the sector, appreciate its challenges and are willing to engage with practitioners.

It needs the implementation of policies to continue.

It needs the Arts and Film Policy to be properly interpreted, communicated and explained to the creative community so that artists, filmmakers, producers and other practitioners understand what these policies mean for them and how they can benefit from the opportunities they create.

NAMA would therefore welcome the opportunity to continue engaging with Hon. Nkandu and the Ministry in taking these processes forward.

We believe there is still significant work to be done.

The creative industry needs to understand the policies that have been developed.

It needs to participate in their implementation.

It needs clear frameworks for engagement.

And it needs continued dialogue between government and practitioners.

We would want Hon. Nkandu back so that we can continue where we left off.

His experience within the ministry and his understanding of the creative sector provide a valuable foundation upon which further progress can be built.

Friends of the Arts

The victories of these leaders remind us of an important truth.

The creative industry needs friends in positions of influence.

It needs people who understand that artists are not simply entertainers.

Filmmakers are not simply people who make movies.

Musicians are not simply performers.

Writers are not simply storytellers.

Photographers, actors, designers, producers, directors, journalists, digital creators and other practitioners are participants in an industry that contributes to culture, identity, employment, tourism, education and economic development.

The people we are celebrating today have, in different ways, been connected to that world.

They have been practitioners.

They have supported productions.

They have worked with creatives.

They have understood the challenges of the industry.

And now they have been entrusted with broader responsibilities.

That gives the creative community reason to be hopeful.

Taking the Creative Industry Into Public Leadership

NAMA believes that the presence of people with creative industry backgrounds in public leadership can strengthen the relationship between the arts and national development.

The creative sector requires champions at every level.

From Parliament to local councils.

From ministries to municipalities.

From policy development to implementation.

From national programmes to grassroots initiatives.

We therefore call upon our newly elected friends of the arts to remember the communities from which they came and to continue creating space for artists and creatives within their respective mandates.

We also encourage the creative community to engage constructively with these leaders.

We must not only expect support from public office holders.

We must also present clear ideas, viable programmes and practical solutions that demonstrate how the creative industry can contribute to national development.

A New Opportunity for the Creative Economy

Zambia's creative economy is entering an important period.

There is growing recognition of the role of film, television, music, digital content, fashion, theatre, visual arts and other creative disciplines in economic and cultural development.

The challenge now is to translate that recognition into practical opportunities.

That means stronger policies.

Better implementation.

Greater investment.

More production.

More distribution.

More opportunities for young people.

And stronger links between the creative industry, government, tourism and the private sector.

Having friends of the arts in public leadership can help advance that conversation.

NAMA's Commitment

The National Association of Media Arts remains committed to engaging government and public leaders constructively in advancing the interests of Zambia's media arts industry.

We congratulate all the newly elected leaders and wish them wisdom, courage and success as they take on their new responsibilities.

To Mayor Bright Hanakamba, Mayor Kausheni Mapushi, Hon. Michelle Kazala Phiri, Councillor Albert Muteba and Hon. Elvis Nkandu, we say:

Congratulations on your victories.

You have moved from different spaces within society into positions where you can influence the lives of many more people.

We hope that your creative roots will remain part of your strength.

We hope you will continue to support the arts.

We hope you will continue to champion young creatives.

We hope you will continue to advocate for culture and creative enterprise.

And we hope you will remain friends of the arts.

Because when the creative industry succeeds, Zambia succeeds.

When our artists have opportunities, our young people have opportunities.

When our filmmakers tell our stories, Zambia's identity travels beyond its borders.

And when people from the creative industry enter public leadership, they carry with them an understanding of the power of culture, creativity and human expression.

NAMA celebrates these victories not only as political victories, but as victories for the creative community.

We look forward to working with these leaders and continuing the conversation about how Zambia can build a stronger, more sustainable and globally competitive creative economy.

Congratulations to our friends of the arts.

Your journey from creativity to leadership is an inspiration to the entire creative fraternity.

National Association of Media Arts, NAMA

Celebrating, Representing and Advancing Zambia's Media Arts Industry.

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