FOUNDERS of popular events on Lusaka’s social calendar such as the Safari Picnic, Lusaka July and the Penthouse Fashion Brunch are at it again with yet another exciting edition of the 7th annual Beerville-Oktoberfest to be held on Saturday, 30th September 2023 at the Chita Lodge Gardens in Lusaka. As an event that was introduced in 2017 as a fun-filled garden that gathers food and beer enthusiasts in a day of great music performed by rotating DJs, PR Girl Media has themed the 7th edition as Dancehall, calling on attendants to channel their inner Jamaican vibes through their outfits in a colourful display of fashion and creativity.

Speaking in an address aired on the PR Girl Media Facebook page – The Managing Partners of PR Girl Media Monde and Chishimba Nyambe stated that the Beerville Oktoberfest was created as a stage that promotes upcoming DJs and talent in the entertainment industry. “We urge all event attendants to embrace the DJ performing culture, we have selected some of Zambia’s most promising talent and are certain that their sets will be the best that the city has ever seen and heard.” DJs featured on the Beerville 2023 line-up are as follows; Nia B, Toots, Superstar Hussein, Twizie, My Boyfriend, Zhu, Mini Chocolate, Andie Stone and Switcher. On an electrifying stage that will be hosted by trendy MCs K’chinga and Medad, the chart-topping musician Towela Kaira will end the show with a 10pm performance.

Besides the thrilling entertainment, PR Girl Media has collaborated with the local hospitality industry by bringing together the city’s most vibrant restaurants and bars to set up pop-up versions of their venues in the beer garden. For this year’s edition, Soax Enterprise, The Backyard, Bar Three, The Bottle Shop, Seventeen and Chef Womba will be serving up delicious Caribbean-inspired meals and beverages to an expected attendance of over 3,000 people.

Corporate sponsors of the 2023 Beerville-Oktoberfest are Big Tree Beverages with Brothers Mixers and Zambian Breweries with Castle Lite, Flying Fish and Stella Artois. Tickets are available at K200 per person through the BGS Tickety Whatsapp on +260961696458. Further details of the event can be found on social media via hashtag #Beerville2023.

IN a studio bustling with excitement, a comedic legend celebrates his tenth anniversary in comedy. Hubert Mumba, better known by his stage name, Chingliz, shares his journey from an engineering student to the beacon of laughter he has become today. He is not only one of the masterminds behind the phenomenal Night of Laughter on Zambezi Magic, he is also a pivotal figure aiming to diversify and invigorate the comedic scene across Africa.

Having started off as a civil engineering student, Chingliz took an unexpected detour into comedy, blending his distinct style with astute observations on relationships, family, and occasional politics. When asked about his style, he jovially explains, “I’m called a serious funny guy. Because I’m cracking jokes with a serious face.”

This year, Night of Laughter has returned for its second season, boasting an even broader array of comedians from across the continent. While Chingliz featured in two episodes of the inaugural season, this sequel, he promises, has “new faces from around Africa and locally here in Zambia.” One exciting addition is OB Amponsah from Ghana, marking the show’s attempt to bridge the comedic gap between East and West Africa.

The atmosphere? Expect an entirely different vibe each night. “Because we have the same audience every day, every experience of Night of Laughter is new,” Chingliz points out. He highlights the importance of providing a fresh experience, especially when it’s the same eager crowd turning up every time.

But how does one select from a continent’s worth of comedic talent? Chingliz’s vision is clear: to export Zambian talent and foster cultural exchange programs across Africa. This symbiotic relationship sees Zambian comedians performing in countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Botswana, and vice versa.

Diving deeper into the episodes, Chingliz has trouble picking a favourite. He’s in awe of all the comedians, but if he had to pick, perhaps the last episode holds a special place, not just because he features, but because it captures the fullest expression of comedic brilliance.

This season is themed “the sequel,” a follow-up to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a wide range of topics on offer, from family to politics, how do they keep the content relatable? Chingliz’s guiding principle is simple: “It’s a family show. So don’t say what you can’t say in church.”

Ultimately, Chingliz wants viewers to be fully immersed in the experience, and feel part of the live event. His passion for local comedy is evident, with the hope that Zambians recognise the vast comedic potential within their country and understand that “Zambians can do what other countries can do.”

As the lights dim and the stage is set, one thing is clear: with Chingliz at the helm, Night of Laughter promises laughter, lessons, and an experience like no other. So mark your calendars and get ready to laugh your socks off! The joke’s on you if you miss it.

Tune into season 2 of Night of Laughter, premiered on Thursday 31 August at 21:30 CAT on Zambezi Magic (DStv channel 162 and GOtv Channel 3) and it runs every Thursday.

THE massively popular SHAKA ILEMBE will be back! MultiChoice today confirmed that the standout drama series, which has won fans and rave reviews in abundance, has been commissioned for a second season.

With its rich visuals, excellent performances, respectful authenticity and outstanding entertainment, season 1 of SHAKA ILEMBE showcased the origins story of the legendary African King, culminating with a victorious Shaka returning to take the Zulu throne. Season 2 will pick up the story as he begins his long prophesized reign, writing himself into history.

Speaking on the decision to renew the series, MultiChoice CEO General Entertainment Nomsa Philiso was appreciative of the support that SHAKA ILEMBE has gained. “MultiChoice is really committed to telling the SHAKA ILEMBE story, and this season 2 announcement confirms our intentions to honour the iconic figure of King Shaka with a continuation of his story on air.”

She goes on to say, “The fact that viewers across the continent have been so passionately supportive of the show, tuning in to watch weekly, sharing their commentary online and really engaging with this layered story of the Nguni Kingdoms, has been fantastic. We are now looking forward to bringing season 2 to life.”

Produced for MultiChoice by the award-winning Bomb Productions, SHAKA ILEMBE introduced viewers to the Zulu, Mthethwa, Qwabe, Ndwandwe, Elangeni and Hlubi, with characters from the vast storyline quickly becoming household names. The bold Queen Nandi, young Prince Shaka, influential Princess Mkabayi, fearsome Zwide, mysterious Queen Ntombazi, loyal Ngomane, honourable Dingiswayo, and many more in a story that brimmed with love, war, loss, betrayal, sacrifice, and triumph.

Season 2 promises to unveil a new chapter of SHAKA ILEMBE, with new stars, characters and plotlines delivered with the same polish as season 1, with the stellar cast led by Nomzamo Mbatha, and the vast crew of the show having already laid out a foundation on which the epic story can be further expanded.

Meanwhile, viewers who’ve been waiting to binge SHAKA ILEMBE need wait no longer to see all 12 episodes of season 1. Current DStv Premium, Compact Plus and Compact subscribers can access the Catch-Up service on their decoder or online at DStv.Stream.

For more information on SHAKA ILEMBE, log on to www.zambezimagic.tv or join the SHAKA ILEMBE community online using #shakailembezm.country.