Although it may have taken nearly five decades to happen; the late 70s/80s Zambian Rockstar Paul Ngozi has been honoured with a road named after him. The former ZAOGA road is in the area of Lusaka Paul Ngozi once called home in Kubwata suburb. The initiative was spearheaded by the Zambia Association of Musicians and was officiated by the Zambian Minister of Justice and Kabwata Constituency’s Member of Parliament Hon. Given Lubinda on Saturday the 1st of September.
In a communique the association referred to the late Paul Ngozi as one of Zambia’s greatest musicians;
Photo by ZAM
“Paul Ngozi is one of the early pioneers of Zambian music and one of the most celebrated Zambian entertainers of all-time…the naming of Paul Ngozi road in Kabwata is commendable and must be celebrated by all Zambians”
PAUL NGOZI STREET! The road in Kabwata which is usually referred to as St. Patrick’s ZAOGA road has been named in honor of the great iconic musician Paul Ngozi! Hon. Given Lubinda MP is accompanied by @ZAMusicians and residents of Kabwata at the ceremony. pic.twitter.com/Gi5lANAVgK
The officiation included a tree planting and was open to the Zambian music fraternity as well as the Kabwata community. Paul Ngozi was born in 1949 and passed on in 1989. Real name Paul Dobson Nyirongo, the musician rose to the top of the Zambian music scene in the 1970s and 1980s as the band leader of the ‘Ngozi Family’, a band which made a mark as a top local rock group. Ngozi Family were a strong force in the Zamrock movement and were one of the first groups to have its music classified as Zamrock alongside bands like Witch (We Intend to Cause Havoc). Although mostly positively received the general consensus is that many legendary Artists in Zambia and the continent must be honoured and celebrated whilst they are still alive. This Road-naming memorial might be the first step in the right direction of a journey long overdue.
If you’re yet to come across it, here’s a ZamRock Playlist for context, you’re welcome!
