Jason J Mulikita
Jason J Mulikita | |
|---|---|
 Mulikita in 2014 | |
| Born | October 7, 1983 |
| Nationality |  Zambia |
| Occupation |
|
| Known for | Founder of Chalo Chatu. |
| Website | mulikita |
Jason Jackson Mulikita (born 7 October 1983) is a Zambian photographer, artist, Internet entrepreneur and founder of the online non-profit encyclopedia Chalo Chatu.[1][2]
Early life and education
Mulikita was born in Lusaka and went to Matero Boys Primary School in 1991. From 2000 to 2002 he did his secondary education at Monze and Mumbwa high schools. He further went to the National Institute of Public Administration to study Information Systems. In 2014 he studied photography with the New York Institute of Photography.
Early career
In 1995 while in fifth grade, Mulikita discovered his artistic talent and had all his artworks signed as JJArts. In 1996 he developed keen interest in computers and technology when he first used a computer, an IBM running on MS-Dos. With these skills, he was able to give computer training to the school administration at Mumbwa High School when they acquired their first computer in 2001.
During the same time, he also trained personnel at Kalilwe Resource Centre in Mumbwa.
After completing high school he made paintings and supplied the pieces to the Lusaka National Museum, lodges and individuals across Lusaka. At age 19 he taught computers to students at a teachers training college for two years.
In October 2006 he took up another teaching job at NorthGate Academy (then Sishemo Education Trust) in Lusaka where he taught computers to kids from first to seventh grade. He worked at the school till 2014. One of his pupils was Joseph Lusumpa, who later got inspired and become a photographer.
In 2006 he presented a technology TV segment called Internet Awareness on ZNBC TV's talk show, Smooth Talk. From 2009 to 2012, he worked as an IT consultant for the Governance Secretariat under the Ministry of Justice.
From 2012, Mulikita has been working as a part-time lecturer at the University of Zambia's Consultancy and Training Unit (CTU) offering website and graphics designing classes.
Career
Xtreme Zambia
In 2003, Mulikita established his first Internet business Xtreme Zambia and offered web services such as website designing and hosting. The website also operated as an online directory and advertising platform for businesses.
In 2009 he streamlined the operations of the website, limiting it to only offer web services.
JJArts Photography
After years of photographing in school and at family events, he took up photography as a professional career in August 2011. The photography business inherited the name from his art label, JJArts.[3]
Chalo Chatu
In 2016, Mulikita founded a non-profit organisation, Chalo Chatu Foundation, which runs the Chalo Chatu project — an online encyclopedia aimed at preserving the history and pride of Zambia.
Role
In a 2016 interview with Q Tv's breakfast show Mulikita outlined his vision for Chalo Chatu: "Looking at our past we don't have documented information of our history, if you think about Zambian history most of it is centered on the independance because it was the most documented event in 1964 but if you try to think and ask anyone about life before than you will find there is a blackout match of Zambian history found in the public domain starts from 1950 but there was life beyond that, so we thought lets go as far as we can to get that information."
Awards
| Year | Association | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Greatest Zambian Awards - FODEP and Open Zambia[2] | Artist of the Year | Won |
| 2016 | ZeeMusic Creative Awards 2016[4][5] | Best Photographer | Nominated |
External links
- Official photography website
- Jason J Mulikita Member Profile on National Geographic
- Official Instagram Account
- Jason J Mulikita on Twitter on Twitter
See also
References
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- ↑ Zambia now literally has its own version of Wikipedia called chalochatu.org, MANIC, 15 June 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Open Zambia Awards 2014
- ↑ Open Zambia meets: Photographer Jason J Mulikita, Open Zambia
- ↑ Nominees for the Zambian ZeeMusic Awards 2016 announced
- ↑ ZMCA Nominees, Socialumiere, 6 September 2016
