Theme: Mizu wa Zinthu

Once again, TEDxLusaka will be a virtual event. This year's theme is Mizu wa Zinthu.

In Nyanja (the primary local language spoken in the city of Lusaka), mizu means roots, zinthu means things, and in this context, wa means of. Thus, 'mizu wa zinthu' translates as 'the root of things', or 'the root of everything', or even, 'the root cause'. The ideas shared at TEDxLusaka 2021: Mizu wa Zinthu will take us to the very roots of all aspects of our lives in order to find solutions to challenges facing Zambia today as well as inspire us all to think and do differently.

Zambian-Italian Cultural Centre
Lubu Road
Lusaka, Lusaka, 10101
Zambia

Arnold Nyendwa

Entrepreneur

Arnold Nyendwa is an entrepreneur and inventor who pioneered the first stainless steel stove in Africa. Inspired by personal and family experience in Zambia, the invention aims to reduce the adverse effects of charcoal and wood stoves and addresses the lack of electricity supply in a cost-effective manner. Arnold's invention has won him multiple awards all over the world. Based in Lusaka, Zambia, Arnold is the CEO and Co-founder of Venturas Jumpstart.

Carl Jensen

Farmer and Entrepreneur

Carl Jensen is the CEO and Co-founder of Good Nature Agro, which, was founded in 2014 to, "Move smallholder farmers into the middle class". Good Nature currently connects 11,000 farmers to quality markets and critical services.

Chanda Penda

Cultural Heritage Specialist

Chanda Penda is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Zambia, where he teaches Intangible Cultural Heritage. He is the founder of the Encyclopedia of African Names Research, where he has also served as the Series Editor for over ten years. Chanda is a member of the International Council of Onomastic Sciences and the American Name Society. He has participated in several conferences on personal and place names, including the recent United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names session. He is a cultural consultant who aims to achieve more gender balance in the way places are named.

Janice Matwi

Business Growth Strategy Leader

Janice Matwi is Country Head of ACCA Global in Zambia and a member of the ACCA Africa leadership team. She is the only African to receive the 2020 Global ACCA Chief Executive Officer Award for her quantum transformational leadership and innovative efforts to drive value in Zambia and globally. Janice is also a recipient of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) award as a Private Sector Champion for contributing positively to the development of financial technology sector in Zambia. She is the Founder of Corporate Heelz, a curated community built to drive power of connection, and enabling platforms for conversations that ignite change and create a springboard to build skills that women need to get ahead and lead.

Jayne Mazimba

Personal Finance Specialist

Jayne Mazimba is an award-winning banking and finance professional with over 8 years’ experience marketing financial products. Jayne founded Poised Investor, an entity that targets African millennials and GenZers with personal finance resources. She is a double recipient of the 2020 Financial Literacy Governers Award for her contribution to financial literacy, conducted through her 7-Day Online Money Masterclass.

Joseph Kachiliko

Data Scientist

Joseph Kachiliko is passionate about computer science and using data analytics across professions. He also has a keen interest in Artificial Intelligence. He strives to be an impactful member of his local, African and Global communities by actively applying his acquired skills and collaborating in teams. Joseph has collaborated on data-driven business modelling with two emerging technology companies in Zambia and South Africa. He is a Data Expert IT Auditor at one of the world’s leading audit firms. Joseph also a co-leader at Zambia in Artificial Intelligence Community.

Musenga L. Katongo

Poet

Musenga L. Katongo is a spoken word artist. He has won three international and local poetry slams, and can also boast of being a published author, with his book, Memento Mori. Aside from being an author, Musenga is also an award-winning creative arts entrepreneur, who runs the start-up Colour Culture.

Nchimunya Munyama

Climate Activist

Nchimunya Munyama is a climate change activist, innovator, and CEO at Netagrow Technologies. He is a forester, agronomist, and software developer, with a passion for dedication, service, and excellence. Nchimunya has gained unique perspectives from his professional experience, which he applies to the industry and in the process empowers young innovators to tap into their own potential. He believes in collaboration which then fosters a culture of abundance.

Situmbeko Wambulawae

Women's Rights Activist

Situmbeko Wambulawae is a writer, poet and feminist who believes in the power of words to convey messages that bring forth sustainable change. She is a journalist by profession and a Mandela Washington Fellow. She is also the founder of Zambian Feminists, an online movement dedicated to highlighting inequalities that affect women. Situmbeko uses storytelling and social media to stir forth conversations that impact women.