Thanks to George da Soulchild Kaufela, co-host of our Sunday night radio show, for this important news for Zambian musicians.

Zambian Breweries Plc in partnership with the National Arts Council has launched the K1 billion Mosi Lager Zambian Music Awards aimed at recognising excellence in the Zambian music industry. The first awards show slated for February 22 2013 will see the best of Zambian music talent awarded after public nominations which open on December 14 2012.

Some of the Zambian Music Awards (ZAMA) categories include Afro beat, Zed beats, Kalindula, Dance Hall, Rhythm and Blues, Praise and Worship, Jazz and Rhumba, Song of the Year and Production of the Year.

Music fans will be given a chance to vote for their favourite artistes by sending an SMS to 6767 or by voting online at www.zambianmusicawards.com meanwhile artistes and radio DJs are also encouraged to nominate themselves be simply visting the website.

It is without a doubt that the newly launched awards will lessen the pressure on the Ngoma awards which are multi discipline awards as most Musicians will go for the Mosi Lager Zambian music awards.