FROM LAGOS TO HOLLYWOOD: HAKEEM KAE KAZIM PRESENTS AT THE NAMAs 2026 AND CELEBRATES THE POWER OF AFRICAN TALENT
When the National Academy Media Awards, NAMAs 2026, opened its historic ceremony on 29 June 2026, it was fitting that one of the first voices to take the stage represented a remarkable African story of talent, perseverance and international success.
Nigerian British actor, producer and director Hakeem Kae Kazim presented the first award of the inaugural National Academy Media Awards, setting the tone for an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence, creativity and professionalism within Zambia's creative industry.
The award, for Best Actor, went to Leo Dauty Simukoko, marking an important moment for Zambian screen talent and creating a powerful connection between an internationally established African actor and an emerging generation of Zambian creatives.
A JOURNEY THAT CROSSES CONTINENTS
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, on 1 October 1962, Hakeem Kae Kazim began his journey in Nigeria before moving with his family to London.
His passion for performance developed through school productions and the National Youth Theatre. He later trained at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 1987, before continuing his classical theatre training with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
That foundation in theatre would become an important part of a career that eventually took him across Africa, Europe and Hollywood.
Kae Kazim's international breakthrough came through his portrayal of Georges Rutaganda in the critically acclaimed and Oscar nominated film Hotel Rwanda in 2004.
The role introduced him to a global audience and opened the door to major international film and television opportunities.
His subsequent credits include major productions such as Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, X Men Origins: Wolverine, The Fourth Kind and Half of a Yellow Sun.
On television, he became widely recognised for his role as Colonel Ike Dubaku in 24 and as Mr. Scott in the Starz historical adventure series Black Sails.
His television credits also include Lost, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Criminal Minds, Gotham, Roots, Troy: Fall of a City and Dynasty.
MORE THAN AN ACTOR
What makes Kae Kazim's journey particularly significant for Africa is that his contribution to the industry extends beyond acting.
He has also worked as a producer and has been involved in projects aimed at telling African stories and creating opportunities for African talent.
His production work includes Man on Ground, for which he received two Africa Movie Academy Award nominations.
He has also ventured into voice acting and gaming, with credits including Halo 3: ODST and The Bourne Conspiracy.
His work has earned recognition at both African and international levels, including a South African Film and Television Award, SAFTA, for his performance in Riding with Sugar.
He has also served as a Global Ambassador for Africa 2.0, reflecting his involvement in initiatives focused on Africa's development and leadership.
A POWERFUL MESSAGE FOR ZAMBIAN CREATIVES
Kae Kazim's appearance at the National Academy Media Awards was more than simply a celebrity appearance.
It represented the kind of connection that Africa's creative industries need to build more deliberately.
For Zambia, the presence of an internationally experienced African actor at its national media awards demonstrated that our creative industry can create platforms where local talent interacts with professionals who have successfully navigated international markets.
His journey also offers an important lesson.
Talent alone is not enough.
Professional training, discipline, networking, experience, business understanding and the ability to work across different production environments are equally important.
Kae Kazim moved from theatre training in the United Kingdom to international film and television, while continuing to engage with African stories and African creative development.
That journey should encourage Zambian actors, filmmakers, producers, writers and other media professionals to think beyond geographical boundaries.
THEATRE, FILM AND THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET
There is another important lesson in Kae Kazim's career.
His foundation in theatre demonstrates the continuing importance of stage performance in developing screen talent.
For Zambia, where theatre remains an important part of the country's performing arts ecosystem, this is particularly relevant.
Theatre develops discipline, character interpretation, voice, movement, timing and the ability to perform before a live audience. These skills can become an important foundation for actors moving into television and film.
Kae Kazim's career demonstrates how that foundation can eventually lead to international screen opportunities.
FROM ZAMBIA TO THE WORLD
The National Academy Media Awards was established to celebrate the people creating the stories, programmes and productions that define Zambia's media landscape.
The 2026 edition was therefore not simply an awards ceremony. It was a celebration of excellence, creativity, professionalism and the extraordinary talent shaping Zambia's creative industry.
Having Hakeem Kae Kazim present the opening award added another dimension to that celebration.
It connected Zambia's emerging creative talent with an African professional whose career has crossed continents and production systems.
And as Leo Dauty Simukoko received the Best Actor award from Kae Kazim, the moment carried a symbolic message:
African talent can travel. African stories can travel. And African creatives can build careers that reach the world.
The challenge now is for Zambia's creative industry to continue building the systems, training opportunities, production capacity, financing mechanisms and international partnerships that allow our own talent to make that journey.
The story of Hakeem Kae Kazim is a reminder that the world is not closed to African talent.
We must prepare our creatives to enter it.
WATCH THE MOMENT
For those who would like to watch Hakeem Kae Kazim's appearance and the National Academy Media Awards moment, the video is available on YouTube:
SELECTED NOTABLE CREDITS
, Hotel Rwanda, Georges Rutaganda, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, X Men Origins: Wolverine, 24, Colonel Ike Dubaku, Black Sails, Mr. Scott, Half of a Yellow Sun, Roots, Gotham, Troy: Fall of a City, Zeus, Dynasty, Man on Ground, Producer and Actor, Riding with Sugar, Mugabe
By Morgan Mbulo, Nuke Artist
NAMA 2026 ©
Comments