Issue NO.1

Meet the Ngoni Princess

Meet the Ngoni Princess

“We are not just entertainers, we are storytellers of tradition.”

She is not just a master of ceremonies (MC), nor merely a matron. Serah Zumani Soko Chanda, popularly known as the Ngoni Princess, calls herself a cultural curator because every move, every chant, every moment she creates is rooted in heritage. Culture is not something she picked up along the way. It has always been part of her and she carries it with pride.

From childhood, she was not only taught tradition, she lived it. Her parents ensured she spent part of her school holidays in the village, keeping her deeply connected to her roots. So when she steps on stage as the Ngoni Princess, it is never just a performance. It is an identity.

"Being Ngoni is not a brand; it’s a statement, and it’s my pride," she says.

From Serving Pots to Directing the Whole Event

Serah’s journey began in July 2022 in the simplest way, hiring out serving pots for Chilanga Mulilo (a traditional practice where the bride’s family showcases their cuisine to the groom’s family). Operating under the name Ngoni Princess Serving Pots for Hire, she ran her small business until a bigger vision sparked.

At the time, Zambia had very few female MCs. She studied the craft, drew inspiration from trendsetters like Tisa and Lulu Woods, and later realised she could bring a unique element to any event, which is the perfect blend of cultural infusion.

Matroning Redefined

When the Ngoni Princess arrives at any event, it is never business as usual. For her, being a matron is not about recycling the same dances guests have seen for years. It is about the atmosphere she creates, the energy she brings, and the unforgettable flow.

When clients began asking for more cultural entertainment, she responded by creating her own traditional dance group, a move that transformed her brand. Today, she is versatile: gracing weddings, kitchen parties, graduations, corporate events, book signings, and official launches. The Ngoni Princess is no longer confined to Ngoni-only occasions, her stage is everywhere.

And Then Came the Award

On March 15, 2025, at the Zambia Gastronomy Awards, her cultural dance group was crowned Best Cultural Dance Group. The applause was loud, but the real victory was that the people themselves voted. “That recognition told us something powerful,” she reflects. “We are not just entertainers, we are storytellers of tradition.”

The Vision Ahead

For the Ngoni Princess, this is only the beginning. She envisions a Zambia where more women take up the mic as MCs and matrons. A future where professionalism and culture do not just coexist but amplify each other.

“Ngoni Princess is more than me,” she says. “It’s a movement. A celebration of heritage. A new way of experiencing events in Zambia and beyond.”