Theme: The Power of Togetherness

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

NIPA Information and Conference Centre
NIPA, Dushambe Road
Lusaka, Lusaka, 10101
Zambia

Africa Directions Theatre

Theatre Group

Africa Directions theatre is a vibrant and professional artistic group that has conducted works within the country and internationally. The group uses theatre and film to engage, educate and sensitise the community on various issues affecting them. The group has done community theatre, television and radio awareness programmes related to Reproductive health, drugs, Gender based violence, corruption, voter education, road safety, civic education etc. Because of its vast theatrical experience, the group has been engaged to perform at different events both at national and international levels. The group is an affiliate of the National Arts Council of Zambia through the National Theatre Arts Association of Zambia (ZAPOTA) and they are the current 2018 -2019 National Theatre Champions.

Brad Magrath

Entrepreneur

Twelve years ago, Brad Magrath and his brother Brett, founded Zoona. The original conviction was that entrepreneurship, technology, talented people, and an unrelenting focus on solving big problems that matter, while delivering value people would pay for would be a formula to grow and scale in Africa. The African landscape is dominated by unemployment, financial exclusion, growing youthful population, and urbanization. Zoona was built focusing on empowering entrepreneurs to create employment and increase financial inclusion to help communities thrive. In an ever-changing, disruptive landscape, the co-founders have launched TILT a spin-off to integrate the Enterprise segment into the mobile money, digital and cash world to connect all stakeholders, and change the way Africa transacts.

Chibamba Kanyama

Entrepreneur

Chibamba Kanyama is a Corporate leader, public speaker, communications specialist & strategist, published author, television personality, investment advisor, advisor on economic policy & journalist. Chibamba wrote ‘Business Values for Our Time,’ in which he argues that successful entrepreneurs are shaped by norms & traditions of society under which they're raised. Prior to founding Bridges Limited, a consulting firm, Chibamba worked at the International Monetary Fund, Washington DC as Communications Advisor. He also worked as Director General of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation; Director of Corporate Affairs at Zambian Breweries plc and Corporate Affairs & Marketing Director at Zambia State Insurance Corporation Limited. Chibamba is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, an established corporate governance trainer of trainers and John Maxwell Accredited Coach 7 Trainer. He is the Founder of Teen Vision Trust, a youth mentorship organization. He is married with 4 children.

Chitambala Mwewa

Activist

Chitambala Mwewa, a.k.a. Simon Mwewa Lane attended the International School of Lusaka, then studied philosophy and theology at the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the United States. For almost 20 years, he has served as Director of Administration for the ‘Simoson Group of Companies’, a property development corporation. Chitambala is passionate about the environment and started a foundation called ‘I Dream of a Clean Lusaka’, that seeks to educate the public on personal hygiene and the proper disposal of garbage. He is also an Ambassador for the Make Zambia Clean Green and Healthy Campaign, as well as Operation Ubusaka (cleanliness).

Henry Joe Sakala

Writer

Author of the award-winning book, 'Unmasked: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems', Henry Joe Sakala fell in love with telling stories at a tender age of 12. He is well known for writing a number of award-winning plays such as Living with the Enemy, Judas Affair, Town Boy and Surviving the Wilderness. Henry is also credited for creating, writing and starring in some of Zambia’s major feature films and TV drama series, notably serving as the head writer of Zambezi Magic TV drama series Mfuti, Mpali and Land Lady. He is also celebrated for writing many drama series and feature films on Muvi Television. Henry’s other work includes Silent Voice, Guns and Rings, Survivors, Brothers, Redemption, Rewind, When the Curtain Falls, Street Circles, Dancers and Reflection of Sadness. He is currently working on a novel entitled “An African Country.”

Jito Kayumba

Investement Specialist

Jito Kayumba is a partner at Kukula Capital, Zambia’s pioneering Private Equity and Venture Capital firm. He has led investments in numerous Zambian SMEs and actively participates in their strategy and development. As a seasoned investment professional, Jito is called upon by numerous global fora to provide insight on development financing and investment in Africa. He is also an advocate for innovative early childhood education and serves as Chairman of iSchool Zambia, an early childhood e-learning company. Jito has also been recognized for his work in energy policy and the promotion of streamlined investment in energy ventures in Zambia, driven by Independent Power Producers. He is a certified Investment Advisor, holds a degree in Political Science, specializing in Public Policy and Corporate Governance from Canada’s Concordia University and is enrolled in the prestigious African Leadership MBA with the ALU School of Business.

Lord Wapi

Artist

William Musonda Katongo (aka Lord Wapi) is a Lusaka-based satirical cartoonist, caricaturist, voice-over artist and radio personality. Lord Wapi was born and raised in Zambia's Copperbelt province. For the last six years, he has produced satirical cartoons that cover mostly Zambian political and social issues. His social media page Lord Wapi Comics has over 13,000 followers across Africa. Lord Wapi’s cartoons have been used to provoke necessary discussions among the Zambian public via social media across a number of online platforms. In addition, bloggers, Muvi TV, celebrities and other public figures have found Lord Wapi’s content topical and good for sparking discourse. As a voice-over artist, he has provided voices for companies such as Trade Kings, Black Dot Media, Think Big, MTN, Airtel and Zanaco. As a radio personality, he hosts The Breakfast Direct shows from 6am to 9am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Morning After Chill’ on Saturday 6am to 9am.

Luwi Nguluka

Conservationist

Passionate about inclusivity and diversity in the conservation landscape, Luwi attributes her passion for wildlife to her childhood in the African Wilderness, including the Okavango Delta. Representing the next generation of conservationists in Zambia, she leads several innovative awareness campaigns including “Women For Conservation” – Zambia’s first network for women who work in and are interested in conservation initiatives across the country; Zambia’s first “Conservation Careers Fair” and the “This is not Game” bushmeat campaign launched to tackle the illegal bushmeat trade, which is a devastating threat to carnivore and prey species across the continent. Luwi further uses her passion for technology and storytelling to alter the face of conservation communication and to create a more diverse conservation climate.

Marcel van Driel

Snake Whisperer

Marcel van Driel is a passionate snake sensitisation activist in Zambia. He is the founder and administrator of the popular Facebook page "Zambian snakes and other crawlies". He has appeared on local radio and TV to inform people about snakes and to answer questions from listeners and viewers. He conducts sensitisation talks on snakes and basic snakebite treatment and he relocates snakes from people's homes and workplaces. Marcel also makes home and farm visits to advise people on how to make their living and workspaces less attractive and accessible for snakes. In doing so, his mission is to protect both snakes and people. Marcel has lived in Zambia for over eight years, runs his own organisational development consultancy company and is a practicing visual artist.

Maria Akani

Medical Doctor

Dr. Maria Akani has over 10 years’ experience practising mental health in the private and public sectors. During her career, she has made contributions to the body of mental health research and academic discourse through universities and colleges, various publications and conference presentations. Maria is passionate about mental health advocacy and awareness which she does through various media platforms. She played a key role in the deliberations leading up to the enactment of a new Mental Health Act of 2019 in Zambia and continues to fight against gender-based violence and early marriage. In March 2019, Maria was awarded the Anakazi Banking Woman of the Year, Health Award because of her contribution to mental health. She holds a Master of Medicine in Psychiatry, a Master of Science in Clinical Neuropsychology, a degree in Medicine and Surgery and a degree in Human Biology. She is also the managing consultant of Renaisense, a company that facilitates life transformation.

Mumba Chalwe

Surgeon

Dr. Mumba Chalwe is a Urological Surgeon, a surgical sub-specialty focused on men’s health as well as the urinary systems in both men and women. Mumba is among the few female surgeons in Zambia and is the first Female Urologist in the country. Academically, Dr. Chalwe boasts of several awards and recognition from various organizations worldwide. She is a fellow of the College of Surgeons of Eastern, Southern, and Central Africa, and was awarded the gold medalist status by the same college for academic excellence in 2018. Additionally, she is also recognized as an Associate Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Nsofwa Sampa

Activist

Nsofwa Sampa is a trained Psychosocial and Clinical Counselor. She provides counselling to persons living with HIV to enable them to adhere to treatment regimens. Having lived with HIV for 26 years, Nsofwa earned confidence in herself and realised how stigma can lead to a great loss of life. With her disability of blindness, which can be acquired as a result of poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy, Nsofwa uses her experience to help others come to terms with their health status and adhere to treatment. In 2014, Nsofwa received the PEPFAR Champions award which was mainly for people working in the HIV field. In 2015, she was nominated by the late Dr. Manasseh Phiri for the Youth Movers Award, which she received. Nsofwa has also worked with Southern African AIDS Trust as a motivational speaker and became a Mandela Washington Fellow in 2017. She is currently working on a project called the Positive Movement which targets empowering persons with disabilities, particularly the blind.

Pilato .

Musician/Activitist

Fumba Chama aka Pilato is a music artist and social activist. With four studio albums, Pilato continues to inspire debates and conversations both politically and socially. As an activist, he has been involved in championing for a more equal and fair society — in 2017, he was among the activists who were arrested for protesting the 42 fire trucks bought by the Zambian government at the cost of $42 million.

Priscilla Chomba Kinywa

Digital Transformation Strategist/Coach

Priscilla Chomba Kinywa is a digital transformation strategist, a certified metabolic conditioning coach, a mother, and wife. She is an avid traveller and co-Founder of ProjectFit, a non-profit entity in Zambia that aims to promote health and fitness among the general population. With nearly 2 decades of experience in the technology and innovation space, she now focuses on helping large international non-profits ‘do good better’ by understanding and taking advantage of the opportunities presented by different technologies, trending and emerging. Having joined the United Nations as a female in STEM at the age of nineteen, Priscilla has experience in leading digital transformation and innovation projects in over forty countries on five continents.

Rashmi Sharma

Gemmologist

Rashmi Sharma is a shareholder of Jewel of Africa & Gemmological Institute of Zambia. She is a fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain and the Gemological Institute of America. Rashmi holds a Masters in Business Administration. As the leader of the Jewel of Africa design team, she is a qualified appraiser and buyer of gemstones and jewellery. She is a passionate advocate of Zambian gemstones, working to create a gemstone industry within Zambia’s mineral mining industry. Rashmi not only excels at design but also at retail management. She leads the product expansion of the jewellery range alongside her primary passion for gemstones. Rashmi makes regular presentations at diplomatic missions around the world, and organised exhibitions in the United States and China, expanding the accessibility and visibility of Zambian gemstones. In her free time, Rashmi is passionate about her community and volunteers with orphaned girls to enable them attain higher education.

Samba Yonga

Communication Strategist

Samba Yonga is a communication strategist and founder of Zambian based Ku-Atenga Media, a company that specialises in developing bespoke communication platforms and tools with a focus on Africa. She has consulted for many firms in Africa and other parts of the globe, but her heart is set on producing content for Africa that affects the collective narrative of Africa in a positive way. Samba is also co-founder of the Zambian Women’s History Museum whose mandate is to research and restore African indigenous narratives, knowledge and ‘living histories’ focused on women. Samba is a proud graduate of Evelyn Hone College School of Journalism and holds a Master of Arts in Transnational Communications and Global Media from Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Theresa Ng'ambi

Musician

Theresa Ng’ambi is a talented Zambian folk singer. On stage, she relates herself to Kanjiba, a bird that sings stories. While her peers were playing hip-hop and nu-soul, she explored a more traditional Zambian sound. A storyteller and a poet, Theresa draws on the traditional musical styles of her grandfather’s era, especially the thumb piano. Her guitar supports the real instrument that is her melodic voice. Theresa’s music is cross-generational and has a broad appeal; she is the “soul” of Zambian folk music. Her album titled “Mandu” was released in 2016. Theresa has been featured on the BBC and has shared stages with Maureen Lilanda, Hugh Masekela, and the Sakala Brothers. In 2018 Theresa Ng'ambi was awarded Best singer at the Zambia Women Awards. A conservationist, she is a brand ambassador for Birdwatch Zambia. Theresa also conducts storytelling programmes with children from Alliance Francaise, Modzi Arts, the American International School in Lusaka, and Liutebm University.