NAMA STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH DETAINED ARTIST IDC LIGHT AND CALLS FOR DUE PROCESS

Creative Industry Associations Must Stand Together in Supporting Our Own

The National Association of Media Arts, NAMA, stands in solidarity with our colleague and fellow creative, IDC Light, who remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.

As an association representing practitioners across Zambia's media and creative arts industry, NAMA believes that our responsibility extends beyond celebrating the achievements of our artists. It also means standing with them during difficult moments and ensuring that their rights, welfare and dignity remain protected.

We recognise the efforts already being undertaken by the Comedians Association of Zambia, COAZ, together with the family, legal counsel, ZAM representatives and other stakeholders, to support IDC Light and pursue the appropriate legal avenues for his release. COAZ has confirmed that its immediate priority remains securing bail, subject to the guidance of the legal team and the requirements of the law.

NAMA fully supports this approach.

“We may belong to different associations, but in one way or another, we are one. When one of our own is facing a difficult situation, we must stand together and ensure that the law takes its course, with fair representation and every lawful avenue, including bail where applicable, pursued.

— Morgan Mbulo, NAMA President, speaking during an artist engagement in Kitwe.

Our position is clear, let the law take its course

NAMA's position is not to interfere with or prejudice the ongoing legal process.

We believe that the law must be allowed to take its course, and that IDC Light should have access to proper legal representation and a fair opportunity to have his matter heard and determined in accordance with the law.

Where the law provides for bail and the relevant legal requirements are satisfied, we believe that he should be afforded that opportunity.

Our call is therefore not for special treatment.

It is a call for due process, fair representation and the proper application of the law.

We also recognise the importance of allowing the legal team to do its work without interference or speculation. COAZ has similarly encouraged its members to rely on official communication, remain patient and refrain from spreading unverified information while the matter is before the relevant authorities.

We stand with the associations on the ground

NAMA acknowledges that IDC Light belongs directly to the creative fraternity represented by organisations such as COAZ and ZAM, which have been actively involved in the matter.

We may be joining the advocacy process at a later stage, but we are one creative industry.

The boundaries between our associations may define our areas of representation, but they should never divide us when one of our own is facing a difficult situation.

A comedian is part of the media arts industry.

An actor is part of the media arts industry.

A filmmaker is part of the media arts industry.

A musician, writer, producer, digital creator and other creative practitioners are all part of the same broader ecosystem.

When one of us is facing adversity, we should be able to stand together.

NAMA calls for continued advocacy

It has now been some time since IDC Light was detained, and NAMA believes that continued, constructive advocacy is necessary.

We therefore encourage all relevant associations, stakeholders and members of the creative community to continue engaging through the appropriate channels to ensure that the matter receives the necessary attention and that IDC Light's legal rights are fully respected.

We particularly support continued engagement with his legal counsel and family, so that any intervention by associations remains responsible, coordinated and consistent with the ongoing legal process.

The objective should remain clear:

To ensure that IDC Light receives proper legal representation and that every lawful avenue available to him, including bail where applicable, is pursued.

Solidarity beyond organisational boundaries

The creative industry cannot afford to stand together only when celebrating awards, premieres and successful productions.

Our solidarity must also be demonstrated when our colleagues are facing hardship.

This is an opportunity for the creative sector to demonstrate that our associations are not merely professional structures, but communities that care about the welfare and dignity of their members.

NAMA therefore stands alongside COAZ, ZAM, IDC Light's family, his legal representatives and other stakeholders who are working through the appropriate channels to support him.

We respect the legal process.

We respect the work of the courts.

We respect the role of legal counsel.

But we also believe that no creative practitioner should feel that they are alone when facing a difficult moment.

We remain hopeful

NAMA notes the confidence expressed by IDC Light's legal counsel regarding the prospects of securing bail and will continue to follow developments through the appropriate channels.

We remain hopeful that the legal process will progress and that a lawful resolution will be reached as soon as possible.

Until then, we encourage the creative fraternity to remain united, calm and responsible, while continuing to advocate for due process and the rights of our colleague.

NAMA stands with IDC Light.

NAMA stands with the associations advocating for him.

NAMA stands for due process, fair legal representation and the proper application of the law.

And above all:

When one of us is facing a difficult moment, we stand together.

National Association of Media Arts, NAMA

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