“United for a Safer Zambia” Awards Launched

Zambia launches inaugural national awards to recognise organisations and individuals advancing workplace safety.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia24 --- January 13, 2026) --

Zambia has officially launched the first-ever Zambia Safety Awards for Excellence (ZASAA), aimed at recognising excellence in occupational health and safety across the country. 

The awards, scheduled for April 28, 2026, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, come as nominations draw to a close at the end of this month.

The national awards, launched in June 2025, are designed to honour organisations and individuals making outstanding and measurable contributions to safer workplaces nationwide.

Speaking at a media breakfast meeting held at the SMTS Zambia Training Centre, SMTS Group Chief Executive Officer Ms. Hellen Mwamba said ZASAA was established to promote higher safety standards and recognise institutions and professionals who go beyond minimum compliance to build strong and sustainable safety cultures.

Ms. Mwamba said the awards ceremony will coincide with the global commemoration of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work and will be held under the theme “United for a Safer Zambia.” 

She explained that the theme highlights the need for collective responsibility in improving occupational health and safety, involving government, industry, professionals, workers, academia, and the media.

She disclosed that nominations for the awards, which opened on October 10, 2025, will officially close on January 31, 2026.

According to Ms. Mwamba, more than 1,800 nominations have already been received, with the agriculture sector recording the highest number of submissions so far.

While describing the response as encouraging, Ms. Mwamba urged other sectors to increase participation to ensure national inclusivity and broad representation across the economy.

Ms. Mwamba said the awards underscore Zambia’s growing commitment to protecting workers and strengthening workplace safety systems nationwide. 

She noted that ZASAA is designed to promote collaboration across sectors and encourage organisations to embed safety as a core value rather than a regulatory obligation.

Judith Mwape, Public Relations Manager and a member of the ZASAA Organising Committee, provided clarity on the awards criteria and nomination process, stating that it was designed to ensure credibility, transparency, and fairness.

Ms. Mwape explained that nominees are required to submit a formal nomination form, providing detailed evidence and justification demonstrating why an individual or organisation deserves recognition. 

She said this approach is consistent with standard and internationally accepted award processes.

Once nominations are received, submissions are reviewed by the organising committee and subsequently evaluated by the independent judges based on clearly defined award categories and assessment criteria.

Ms. Mwape disclosed that although ZASAA has more than 67 potential award categories, the inaugural edition has been limited to 30 critical sectors as part of a pilot phase. 

She said the selected categories were prioritised based on their impact on workplace safety and public wellbeing.

She noted that the categories span a wide range of sectors, including transport, manufacturing, corporate institutions, distributors, and public spaces, with specific awards such as Safe Bus Station of the Year.

 Ms. Mwape added that the awards also include a media category, recognising the role of journalists and media institutions in promoting occupational health and safety awareness.

Ms. Mwape further explained that some nominees may not initially be aware that they have been nominated. 

Nominators are therefore required to provide accurate contact details, including email addresses and telephone numbers, to enable organisers to engage nominees and allow them to submit the required supporting documentation.

She emphasised that the responsibility rests with the nominator to have sufficient knowledge of the nominee’s work and to submit credible, verifiable information. 

Ms. Mwape said this requirement is critical to maintaining the integrity of the awards and ensuring recognition is based strictly on merit.

During the event, organisers also unveiled an independent judging panel appointed to oversee the awards process. 

Ms. Mwamba said the panel was selected to ensure fairness, transparency, and professionalism.

The judging panel comprises Dr. Elizabeth Lungu-Nkumbula, President of the Africa Vision Zero Network; Mr. Jackie Phiri, Founder and Vice Chancellor of Lusaka Environmental Health University; Ms. Mwelwa Nsaka Sata, an Environment, Health and Safety professional; Mr. Deon Jacobs, a veteran executive with over 30 years’ experience; and Mr. Mark Kunda, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SafetyFocus.

Ms Mwamba said the judges bring expertise spanning governance, public health, infrastructure development, technology, and occupational safety, ensuring that all nominations are assessed strictly on merit.

Ms. Mwamba said the awards are endorsed by the Zambia Occupational Health and Safety Association (ZOHSA) and supported by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, a move she said enhances the credibility of the initiative and aligns it with national safety priorities.

She thanked ZOHSA and the Ministry for their support, adding that government involvement is critical in strengthening occupational health and safety systems across the country.

Ms. Mwamba also acknowledged corporate partners backing the awards, including Zambia Sugar, Zambian Breweries, Savenda Group, SeedCo, IHS Towers Zambia, BCK, GoviEx, Demas Engineering, and Hydrotech Drilling.

She further emphasised the role of the media in promoting safety awareness, describing journalists as key partners in taking safety messages into workplaces and communities. 

Ms. Mwamba called on the media to help promote nominations, highlight safety success stories, and support efforts to build a strong national safety culture.

Representing the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Senior Inspector of Factories in the Department of Occupational Safety and Health Services (OSHS), Ms. Chanda Sampule Zimba, said the safety and wellbeing of working Zambians remains central to government policy and national development.

Ms. Zimba said the government’s commitment is guided by existing legal and policy frameworks, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Factories Act, the Implementation Policy of the OSH Act, and the Eighth National Development Plan.

She said the Ministry conducts regular workplace inspections to ensure employers comply with labour laws and maintain safe working environments. 

Ms. Zimba noted that some companies have been shut down for putting workers and surrounding communities at risk, stressing that the protection of lives takes precedence over economic considerations.

Ms. Zimba said initiatives such as ZASAA play a critical role in promoting best practices, recognising excellence, and strengthening a culture of safety across all sectors. 

She commended SMTS Zambia and its partners for driving the awards and reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to support programmes that improve workplace safety.

She urged employers and stakeholders to participate in the awards, emphasising that workplace safety must be treated as a shared responsibility and a national priority.

Meanwhile, Zambia Sugar reaffirmed its support for ZASAA, describing the initiative as critical in encouraging organisations to embed safety into their operations.

Speaking on behalf of the company, Ackson Tembo said recognising excellence in occupational health and safety contributes to protecting workers, safeguarding communities, and ensuring long-term business sustainability.

He urged organisations from all sectors to submit nominations before the January 31 deadline, saying the awards provide a national platform to celebrate achievements and strengthen a culture of safety in Zambia.

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