31/05/2026
Government praises initiatives that continue to create opportunities for young people
By Kamba Reporter
Government has praised initiatives that continue to create opportunities for young people to discover, develop and showcase their talents describing the arts sector as a key contributor to employment creation, economic growth and social transformation.
Speaking during the Biggest Talent Africa 2026 Grand Finale held in Lusaka on Saturday night, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Principal Arts Officer Malilwe Siajunza said Government remains committed to supporting programmes that empower young people and help them realize their full potential.
Ms. Siajunza noted that the arts and creative industry have become important drivers of national development by creating jobs, generating income and providing young people with alternative pathways to economic empowerment.
She said the sector continues to offer opportunities in music, film, fashion, dance, theatre, content creation and other creative fields, making it one of the fastest-growing industries capable of transforming lives and communities.
Ms. Siajunza explained that platforms such as Biggest Talent Africa play a significant role in identifying and nurturing talent by providing aspiring artists with professional exposure and opportunities to build sustainable careers.
She said such initiatives help bridge the gap between raw talent and professional success by connecting young creatives to wider audiences, industry experts and potential investors.
The Principal Arts Officer further commended the organisers of the competition for complementing Government's efforts in youth empowerment through innovative programmes that encourage creativity, self-expression and entrepreneurship.
She stressed that many young people possess exceptional talent but often struggle to access platforms where they can showcase their abilities and gain recognition.
Ms. Siajunza urged young artists to remain committed to their dreams and continue using their talents positively noting that the Government values the contribution of creatives in promoting culture national identity and economic development.
And ,speaking at the same event, Biggest Talent Africa Organising RepresentativeWendy Chileshe said the competition was created to inspire young people and provide them with a platform to transform their ambitions into reality.
Ms. Chileshe said the initiative seeks to identify, nurture and promote exceptional talent from across the African continent while giving participants opportunities to gain international exposure.
She observed that countless young people possess remarkable abilities but are often limited by a lack of opportunities mentorship and resources needed to advance their careers.
Ms. Chileshe said Biggest Talent Africa was designed to address this challenge by creating a platform where talented individuals can compete, learn and build networks that can help shape their futures.
She added that the competition continues to attract participants from several African countries, including Zambia, Rwanda, Eswatini and Tanzania, among others, making it a unique platform for cultural exchange and regional integration through the arts.
Ms. Chileshe further noted that the growth of the competition demonstrates the immense talent that exists across Africa and the need for continued investment in creative industries.
Meanwhile, the competition culminated in a highly competitive grand finale that featured eight outstanding contestants from different countries.
Zambia's 29-year-old Nova Amandlah emerged victorious and was crowned the winner of the Biggest Talent Africa 2026 title after an exceptional performance.
Tanzania's Saba finished as the first runner-up following a strong performance throughout the competition.
As the overall winner, Nova Amandlah will receive a grand cash prize of US$10,000, an opportunity to perform either in the United States of America or the United Kingdom, as well as a professional recording deal expected to help elevate his career to the international stage.
The event attracted arts enthusiasts, industry stakeholders and supporters who celebrated the achievements of young creatives.
