COBUSU-2018/2019

Leadership is not for the faint hearted.

Zambia’s Second Highest Public University The Copperbelt University Situated in Kitwe Riverside, had gone through a very tough time from the beginning of the 2018/2019 academic year. This seemed to be as a result of The Policies that were pronounced by the management of the school which were the Following:

• CA of 20 threshold
• School fees threshold
• Appealers

However, this seemed to be unfair for Students as there were many reasons why these policies couldn’t apply. Many contributing factors were that there’s a shortage of study space, the Library was under renovations, WiFi was always a challenge for Students to fully access it in order to better their academic performance.

Time went by and it was unfortunate that the time these policies were said to be implemented, more than half of the students who were supposed to seat for the early exams had not met the CA threshold. Not only that, most of the students had not met the School fees threshold. On top of that, the Former minister of higher Education Prof. Nkandu Luo had requested that all the students who had appealed for BC must leave school and come back the Following academic year.

The student union under the Leadership of Mr Lawrence Kasonde, who’s the President of the Students Union, had analyzed well the situation and in order to fight for equity among students and help the vulnerable students who had not met the School fees threshold to have an opportunity to do so, called for Unity and Oneness amongst the students. The Spirit of oneness seemed to prevail for a consecutive days. The former minister of higher Education saw the spirit of oneness among students and had No option but still make everything harder for them.

Eventually, Students’ cries against the policies broke into demonstrations which further led to an indefinite closure of the school on 5th April 2019.

This Was a Battle for Humanity between the Students and The Government through the ministry of higher Education. A round of applause for The Cobusu President Lawrence Kasonde who, with the Spirit of oneness, did not give up on the betterment of students affairs where education is concerned. He did all he could through the engagement of relevant stakeholders and so on.

Well, they Say Leadership is not for the faint hearted and indeed Mr Lawrence Kasonde delivered what was really needed in order to deliver the promises of his Campaigns, CA and School fees were among the cardinal targets.

Time went by and there was no sign of Prof. Nkandu Luo to withdrawing from What could be termed as Punishment for the students. God Has his own plans different from that of Man. A redeemer was on the way, Dr Brian Munshimba had been appointed as the New Minister of higher Education to replace Prof. Nkandu Luo. The battle seemed to be students’ victory but let’s see.

During the same day of appointment, Dr Brian Munshimba prioritised the reopening of the Copperbelt University And did not take long for him to issue another statement disclosing the Date of reopening.

Wow, this seemed like a New Day for the students. Unfortunately, The former Minister of higher Education Prof. Nkandu Luo did not just indefinitely close the school but also expelled the Union Leaders and banned Students Union. Very Hash punishment right?.

Dr Brian Munshimba came in as a Father who could listen to the cries of the Children unlike the Former Minister who had No heart as a mother for her Children.

Therefore, Dr Brian Munshimba did not just disclose the opening date but made reductions to the surcharges that were placed on students. He reduced expulsion to suspension and also pronounced that the CA policy and School fees threshold will not be implemented. He said Students Will be allowed to seat for exams with the CA of as low as 2 and that Results could be withheld until when the school fees is paid in Full.

This Was a Battle Won by students under the Leadership and resilience of Mr Lawrence Kasonde.

Credits for Mr Lawrence: Kasonde had proved to the Students and The Government of the Republic of Zambia that Oneness, Working together, standing with one spirit Is the only Way to achieve a common interest. Mr Lawrence Kasonde together with his cabinet worked tirelessly despite being on Expulsion. They still worked for the students in the background to ensure that their interest are fully met. However, despite being on suspension currently, The Mukaya Movement Under Lawrence Kasonde believes that God will do something and bring back Their leaders. Indeed, if you want to achieve something, it’s important to always work together and As He, Mr Lawrence, puts that Where there’s No Vision, there’s No Hope.

Congratulations to Mr Lawrence Kasonde for having Won the Battle, more is yet to come as we wait for Your reinstatement.

Champo Romeo Alpha The Governor