CNN African Voices Changemakers: Jagari Chanda and Otim Alpha Take the Global Stage

When CNN’s African Voices Changemakers sets its spotlight, it doesn’t just illuminate talent. It celebrates legacy, culture, and creative courage. In one of its most arresting episodes yet, host Larry Madowo journeys through Zambia and Uganda, drawing us into the worlds of two musical pioneers: Emmanuel Jagari Chanda and Otim Alpha. These aren’t just artists. They are living testaments to the power of heritage, resilience, and reinvention.

At 73, Emmanuel Jagari Chanda stands as a symbol of Zambia’s rich musical history. As the legendary frontman of the iconic band WITCH, an acronym for We Intend To Cause Havoc, Chanda was a leading voice in the psychedelic Zamrock movement. This was a thrilling fusion of British rock and Kalindula, rooted in the pulse of 1970s Zambia. After four decades away from the spotlight, he has returned to reclaim the rhythm that once shook Africa’s musical foundations.

Speaking to CNN, Chanda reflects on the rebirth of Zamrock. “It’s creating this curiosity… people are seeing the influence and then creating their own sound from it. That’s what draws them in.”

His return, sparked by global interest and musical reissues, feels both fated and divine. “I was alive, and the one meant to carry the torch. I’m grateful for this new lease on life,” he shares. His recent world tour, culminating in a fiery performance at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City, proves that the spirit of Zamrock still electrifies. “I let the music guide me on stage,” he says. “We interact with the crowd. Wherever we play, they leave satisfied.”

Sampa the Great, another Zambian musical force, is among the artists inspired by Chanda’s legacy. This shows how one man’s sound can echo through generations.

Across the continent, Otim Alpha is making his mark in Northern Uganda with a genre he birthed called Acholitronix. Blending the traditional Acholi rhythms with electronic loops, his sound pays tribute to cultural depth while steering it into the future.

“Acholi is rich in culture,” Alpha says. “We keep history in music through song, not writing. That’s how stories are passed on.” Starting in 2004, he fused his roots with electronic innovation and created a new genre. “I was jealous of South African and Congolese music. I wanted to do something our own. But it wasn’t easy at first. My music wasn’t strong enough to fill a club.”

Today, it is. Otim’s performances, like the one CNN captures at Gulu Market, are an explosion of drums, strings, and dance. The syncopated beat of Aguma music is more than entertainment. It is a transmission of heritage.

His journey, however, was not always rhythmic. “I wanted to be a world boxing champion,” he recalls. Growing up in war-torn rural Uganda with limited means, Alpha found refuge in music when his sports dreams were cut short.

Now, he carries more than just beats. He carries responsibility. “I consider myself a cultural ambassador. Wherever I go, I take my culture with me. I want children to learn our instruments, to carry Acholitronix forward. I don’t want the legacy to die.”

Through the lens of African Voices Changemakers, CNN offers us more than artist profiles. It introduces cultural custodians who use music to preserve identity and push boundaries. Chanda and Alpha are not just making music. They are making history.