THE arts in Zambia have been rocked by confusion as some sections of the discipline are calling for the resignation of the National Arts Council (NAC) chairperson.
Mulenga Kapwepwe has been at the helm of the council for many years though calls for her resignation have intensified now.
What is surprising is that there is only one section of the arts that is calling for her resignation; the musicians.
Musicians have been championing Kapwepwe’s resignation with reasons that she has over stayed according to Saboi Imboela and Petersen, the two singers spearheading the call.
Calls for the chairpersons’ resignation have come after the second successful hosting of the Zambian Breweries Plc, Mosi Lager brand sponsored Zambian Music Awards (ZAMA).
Musicians as well as some fans have attacked the awards for being biased while others cried foul over the money that is given to winners.
Dandy Krazy was quoted in some sections of the media rubbishing the prize money.
But are musicians right to call for Kapwepwe’s resignation?
The musicians might be right to call for Kapwepwe’s resignation but they have wrong reasons to call for her resignation.
The National Arts Council (NAC) just like the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) is mandated to look into the affairs of the arts and not one discipline.
The musicians are supposed to be the last people to call for Kapwepwe’s resignation instead it is the other artists that should be in the forefront.
I don’t remember the last time the prestigious Ngoma Awards were held which honour almost all art disciplines in Zambia.
NAC should look for sponsors for the Ngoma awards and leave the individual arts discipline awards to the respective associations.
We have never seen the NSCZ organising any football or such awards but instead they have their own accolades that they give to deserving sports men and women who have excelled in a season.
I don’t see it fit that NAC should abandon other arts and concentrate on one discipline. As a mother body, they should make sure that all associations are functional with its support as stipulated in the National Arts Council act.
On the other hand, the musicians should organise themselves with a well functioning association that can be trusted with such a responsibility of organising awards such as the ZAMA.
If musicians were that organised with their association, they would have organised their own awards and just look for a sponsor otherwise as it stands, once Zambian Breweries PLc pulls out then that is the end of the ZAMA just like the Ngoma awards died.
Zambian Breweries had this to say on the differences between NAC and ZAM;
“I believe it is unfair to use the Zambian Music Awards as a channel or vehicle for highlighting the differences that are between NAC and ZAM. This is negatively impacting on our brand and it must be clearly understood that a sponsorship property that negates the value of a corporate entity will attract scrutiny and re-evaluation. Whilst Zambian Breweries Plc is the corporate sponsor of the Zambian Music Awards, the company has no control over the mechanics and structure of the awards, which is the jurisdiction of NAC.
“For us, the partnership with NAC is primarily aimed at giving the kind of credence and status to the music awards which we believe it is befitting of a national awards programme,” Luke Njovu, Corporate Affairs Director said.
Let ZAM put its house in order and NAC perform its functions as stated in its Act.
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Last week we looked at the split of the Sakala Brothers and here is what some readers had to say about that;
Dear Clever
I grew up in Matero. I went to school at then Chisengalumbwe LEA School, now Hillside Primary School. I have been a big fan of the Sakala Brothers.
After leaving Zambia in the early 80s I first connected with the Sakala Brothers when they thrilled us with their tradition-based music at the SADC Music Festival in Harare in 1995.
Since then I have followed up the  brothers steady rise in the music industry and a couple of years ago I connected  with them in Malawi when they participated in the SADC Anti-AIDS Festival, I was therefore shocked to learn from you that the brothers have split, I cannot imagine any Sakala brother without the other on stage.
The only thing that will keep me tied to the memory of the magnificent stage performance of the two brothers would be a video of them on stage or a copy of their latest album Born in Matero.
Thank you for the story,
Stephen Chifunyise
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If Levy’s decision to leave the Sakala Brothers is for God, it’s the best decision he has ever made in his life. As a gospel artist I would love to welcome brother Levy to the kingdom. It’s now up to Moses Sakala to follow Jesus like his friend.
Regards, Muma
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Hi Clever, I am made to understand that the separation of the duo is on mutual understanding. The two had discussed, apparently Moses has written a letter to Levy through his lawyer, can you please request that the letter be availed.
For Levy, if he has retired then I see nothing wrong then Moses can continue we have seen the likes of Amayenge continue.

Close source.
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ROAD SAFETY TIP – Always exercise patience on the road and make sure you are courteous to other road users.
If you are driving on a double lane and you are slow, drive on the outer lane to give chance to fast moving vehicles.
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