Continental Re Opens BWP2.13 Billion Public Offer on Botswana Stock Exchange

  By Alain kabinda 

GABORONE, Botswana — Continental Reinsurance Holdings Limited has opened a BWP2.13 billion (US$156.1 million) public offer on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE), in a landmark transaction that could make the company the first reinsurer listed on Botswana’s capital market. 

The offer gives retail and institutional investors an opportunity to take part in the ownership of a pan-African reinsurance group with more than four decades of industry experience. Subject to the successful completion of the offer and admission to trading, Continental Re Holdings will become the first reinsurer listed on the BSE. 

Shares are being offered at BWP1 each, with a minimum application of 200 shares, or BWP200. 

Of the total proceeds, BWP409 million (US$30 million) will be raised by the Group to finance its next phase of growth, while BWP1.72 billion (US$126.1 million) will facilitate the exit of existing shareholders. 

The company said the capital raised will be used to strengthen its balance sheet and support its ambition of progressing towards an A financial strength rating. It also plans to expand its core underwriting operations, scale its capital-light Alternative Risk Solutions business and invest in digital infrastructure. 

“For over 40 years, Continental Reinsurance has been at the heart of Africa’s insurance story, absorbing risk, enabling growth, and ensuring that when the unexpected happens, Africa’s insurance market can respond,” Group Managing Director Lawrence Mutsunge Nazare said. 

                                            (Mr. Lawrence Mutsunge Nazare)

He described the public offer as the next step in the company’s development and said the listing would deepen Continental Re’s commitment to Botswana while opening a new chapter of public ownership for the pan-African reinsurer. 

Continental Reinsurance Holdings is a Botswana-domiciled holding company incorporated in November 2023 to consolidate and extend the Group’s African reinsurance operations. 

The Group provides life and non-life reinsurance across business lines including property and engineering, casualty and liability, marine and aviation, energy and political risks, agriculture and life insurance. 

Its operations span more than 50 African countries and the Middle East, with regional hubs in Lagos, Nairobi, Gaborone, Douala, Abidjan and Tunis. The Group employs 144 professionals representing more than 10 nationalities, with women accounting for more than 40% of its workforce. 

The public offer comes after an improvement in the Group’s financial performance. 

For the 2025 financial year, Continental Re reported gross written premiums of US$165.6 million, equivalent to about BWP2.27 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 5.5%. 

Insurance revenue reached US$173.1 million, while profit before tax rose by more than 50% to US$9.7 million, or approximately BWP105 million. 

The Group's loss ratio stood at 33%, while its combined ratio improved to 92%, compared with 94% in 2024. 

Continental Re said the performance reflects its focus on disciplined underwriting and provides a platform for further expansion across African markets. 

The listing comes as the African reinsurance market continues to offer significant expansion opportunities, supported by relatively low insurance penetration, increasing infrastructure investment, climate-related risks and regulatory initiatives aimed at retaining more insurance premiums within the continent. 

According to figures cited by the company, African reinsurance premiums increased by about 89% in the decade to 2024, outpacing the growth of the continent’s direct insurance market. 

The African reinsurance market was valued at more than US$6.27 billion in 2024, representing about 1.6% of the global market. Non-life business dominates the market, accounting for approximately 87.5%, while life reinsurance represents the remaining 12.5%. 

Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco and Algeria are among the continent’s leading reinsurance markets. 

For Botswana, the transaction also carries significance beyond Continental Re itself. The proposed listing supports efforts to deepen the country’s capital markets by introducing a new financial-services sector to the local exchange and broadening investment opportunities for domestic investors.

 IBA Warns Broadcasters Against Speculative Election Results

 By Alain Kabinda 

LUSAKA — The Independent Broadcasting Authority, IBA, has urged broadcasters to strictly adhere to the 2026 Election Coverage Guidelines as Zambia heads to the polls on Thursday.

The guidelines, issued in May, are aimed at promoting accurate, balanced, fair and responsible election coverage while ensuring that the public has access to reliable information to make informed decisions.

Speaking to the media in Lusaka  IBA Director General Webster Malido said  that before general elections the institution conducted a series of election coverage workshops to strengthen broadcasters’ understanding of the guidelines and the legal and professional standards governing election broadcasting.

Mr Malido also commended broadcasters for their overall compliance during the campaign period, although it says some instances of non-compliance have been recorded.

He further reminded broadcasters that election coverage is subject to specific requirements, including restrictions on campaign interviews featuring political parties or candidates on polling day.

Broadcasters have also been cautioned against airing predictions of election outcomes.

He warned  that no new opinion poll results should be broadcast before the close of polling.

Where opinion polls are permitted, broadcasters must disclose information including the source of the poll, the organisation that conducted or sponsored it, the date it was conducted, the population covered, the sample size and the methodology used.

On election results, the IBA has urged broadcasters to exercise the highest levels of accuracy and professionalism.

While stations may provide updates on voting, counting and tallying, they have been warned against announcing speculative, projected or unverified results.

Mr Malido said election results should only be broadcast after they have been officially announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

Broadcasters have also been urged to exercise caution when using information obtained from social media, political actors, commentators and other unofficial or unverified sources.

Mr. Malido has called for fair and equitable coverage of all political parties and candidates, with broadcasters expected to provide reasonable opportunities for contestants to communicate their views and policies.

Mr. Malido added against content that promotes hate speech, tribalism, violence, character assassination or the spread of misinformation.

Meanwhile, members of the public, political parties, candidates and other stakeholders have been reminded that complaints concerning election coverage should first be submitted to the broadcasting station concerned.

Stations are required to respond to complaints within two days during the election period.

Where there is no response within the prescribed period, or where a complainant is dissatisfied with the response, the matter can be escalated to the IBA.

The Authority says it will continue monitoring election-related broadcasts throughout the electoral period to ensure compliance with the law and the 2026 Election Coverage Guidelines.

The IBA has called on broadcasters to remain committed to accuracy, fairness and responsible reporting, saying professional and ethical coverage will be critical to supporting a peaceful and credible electoral process.

 From Forests to Finance: How Zambia's Carbon Registry Could Transform Climate Action

By Alain Kabinda

For decades, Zambia's vast forests, wetlands and rich biodiversity have been recognised as one of the country's greatest natural assets. Today, those ecosystems are becoming economic assets as well.

With the launch of the National Carbon Registry, Zambia has taken a decisive step into the rapidly expanding global carbon market, positioning itself among the first countries in the world to establish a fully integrated sovereign digital platform for managing carbon credits.

The move is more than a technological achievement. It represents a shift in how Zambia intends to finance climate action, attract green investment and protect its natural resources while pursuing sustainable economic growth.

This Development which is made by the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE) and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) with support from the Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation (SPAR6C) Programme, the registry establishes the digital backbone for Zambia's participation in international carbon trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

At its core, the registry is designed to answer one of the biggest questions in carbon markets: Can carbon credits be trusted?

Carbon markets have often faced criticism over transparency, weak oversight and the risk of "double counting"—where the same emission reduction is claimed by multiple parties.

The digital platform will register carbon projects, track greenhouse gas emission reductions, verify climate outcomes and issue carbon credits using internationally recognised monitoring, reporting and verification standards.

Every carbon credit generated through the system can be traced, providing investors, governments and project developers with greater confidence that the environmental benefits are genuine and measurable.

Speaking during the launch in Lusaka Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary Mr. Douty Chibamba said transparency lies at the heart of the new system.

"Zambia's Carbon Registry is fully online, demonstrating our integrity and strong commitment to accountability and transparency. We will ensure that all activities conform to the provisions of Zambia's Green Economy and Climate Change Act and the Paris Agreement, and that actions related to our carbon credits are visible and can be reviewed by members of the public," he said.

Countries and companies around the world are searching for credible carbon credits to help meet their climate commitments.

With bilateral agreements already signed with Sweden, Norway and Switzerland under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, Zambia is now positioned to begin trading internationally recognised carbon credits.

This creates opportunities for new investment in forest conservation, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and community-based climate projects.

Rather than relying solely on traditional development assistance, Zambia could increasingly attract climate finance by protecting ecosystems that naturally absorb carbon dioxide.

If well governed, carbon projects have the potential to generate employment, support conservation efforts, improve rural livelihoods and create new income streams while preserving forests that millions of people depend on.

It represents years of work to establish the legal, institutional and technical systems needed for Zambia to participate in global carbon markets.

And Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and integrated with the country's national greenhouse gas monitoring systems.

Acting Director General Christopher Kanema added that the agency is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity.

He said the registry will be fully integrated with Zambia's national Measurement, Reporting and Verification system to ensure seamless reporting between carbon market activities and national greenhouse gas accounting.

Such integration is expected to strengthen compliance with Zambia's Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement while improving oversight of climate mitigation projects.

Rather than importing solutions exclusively from outside the continent, Zambia partnered with Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency through South-South cooperation.

The collaboration allowed the two countries to exchange technical expertise and practical lessons while building systems tailored to African realities.

The registry was developed under the SPAR6C Programme, implemented internationally by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and delivered in Zambia by GFA Consulting Group and the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre.

The partnership illustrates how African countries are increasingly collaborating to strengthen climate governance and unlock new sources of sustainable finance.

Meanwhile SPAR6C Zambia Team Lead Joachim Schnurr described the registry as a turning point.

"Today, Zambia transitions from a country of immense ecological potential to a nation with world-class climate governance," he said.

By reducing administrative barriers and preventing double counting, the registry is expected to make Zambia a more attractive destination for carbon finance investment.

Initially, it will support carbon projects developed under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

A second phase will expand the platform to include the Voluntary Carbon Market, enabling additional projects to register, report and monitor their performance.

The challenge now will be ensuring that carbon finance delivers tangible benefits for communities while maintaining high environmental standards.

Done well, the registry could become one of Zambia's most important climate governance tools—not only helping the country meet its emissions reduction commitments but also transforming its forests, wetlands and natural landscapes into engines of sustainable development.

In a world increasingly shaped by the green economy, Zambia is betting that environmental stewardship and economic opportunity can go hand in hand. The National Carbon Registry is the country's strongest signal yet that it intends to compete—and lead—in the global carbon market.

 

 WASH Cannot Wait: NGO Forum Calls for Water and Sanitation to Top Zambia's 2026 Election Agenda  

By Alain Kabinda 

As Zambia prepares for the 2026 General Elections next week, the NGO WASH Forum is urging all political parties and aspiring leaders to place water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) at the centre of their campaign promises, arguing that access to these essential services is fundamental to the country's health, development and resilience. 

Speaking to the media in Lusaka on Friday, NGO WASH Forum Coordinator Ms. Bubala Muyovwe called on all political parties and candidates to make clear, measurable and adequately financed commitments to WASH, warning that millions of Zambians continue to lack access to basic services despite years of policy commitments. 

                                                       (Ms. Bubala Muyovwe)

Ms. Muyovwe said that safe water, decent sanitation and good hygiene are not partisan issues but essential public services that affect every household, community and sector of the economy. 

According to data research shows that only 62 percent of Zambians have access to basic drinking-water services, while just 37 percent have access to basic sanitation and 31 percent have access to basic handwashing facilities. The greatest disparities are found in rural, peri-urban and other underserved communities. 

She also said these gaps have far-reaching consequences, contributing to recurring cholera outbreaks and other preventable diseases, disrupting children's education, placing additional pressure on health facilities and reducing productivity, particularly among vulnerable households. 

Ms. Muyovwe expressed concern over declining public investment in the sector. It noted that WASH allocations have fallen from 2.5 percent of the national budget in 2020 to 1.06 percent in 2026, despite growing demand for reliable water and sanitation services. 

And the research report pointed out that while the National Development Plan estimates that approximately K3.5 billion is required annually to meet the country's WASH needs, only K1.5 billion was allocated, with actual disbursements amounting to K31.9 million. Ms. Muyovwe added that approximately 87 percent of financing for the sector continues to come from development partners, a situation it described as unsustainable for long-term national development. 

She further warned that climate change is placing additional strain on Zambia's water systems through prolonged droughts, floods and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. It said these challenges underscore the need for climate-resilient WASH infrastructure, particularly in communities most vulnerable to climate shocks. 

To address these concerns, the Forum is calling on political parties to make WASH a national development priority by setting measurable targets, increasing domestic financing, giving sanitation and hygiene equal attention alongside water supply, expanding climate-resilient services, strengthening transparency and accountability in WASH financing, and integrating the sector into public health, disaster preparedness and climate adaptation strategies. 

Ms. Muyovwe also urged all citizens to make WASH a key election issue by asking candidates a simple but significant question: What is your practical, funded plan to ensure every Zambian has access to safe water, decent sanitation and hygiene? 

As Zambia works towards achieving its national development goals and Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for universal access to clean water and sanitation, the Forum argues that future progress will depend not only on political promises but on sustained investment and effective implementation. 

The organization has further said the decisions made today will shape whether millions of Zambians can enjoy healthier, more productive and more resilient lives in the years ahead.

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 Communities Must Shape the Lobito Corridor, Not Just Watch It Happen - CSOs

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — The signing pens moved quietly across the pages, but the message from the room was unmistakable: development along the Lobito Corridor must be built with communities, not simply around them.

In a significant step toward strengthening citizen participation in one of Southern Africa’s most ambitious infrastructure and economic corridors, People in Need (PIN) and several Zambian civil society organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the Corridor Voices Initiative in Lusaka.

The agreement marks the beginning of a long-term partnership aimed at promoting coordinated civil society engagement in the sustainable, inclusive and accountable development of the Lobito Corridor.

Representatives from civil society organisations, community structures and development partners gathered with a shared conviction that communities affected by corridor investments should not be passive beneficiaries but active participants in shaping decisions that affect their lives.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, People in Need Zambia Country Director Ms. Stefanie Lagonigro said the initiative is founded on the principle that lasting development requires informed and active community participation.

“The Corridor Voices Initiative is built on the belief that development is most sustainable when communities are informed, consulted and actively involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives,” Ms. Lagonigro said.

“Today’s signing demonstrates our collective commitment to ensuring that civil society speaks with a stronger, coordinated voice in promoting inclusive and accountable development.”

The MoU establishes a collaborative platform through which participating organisations will work together to promote meaningful community participation, evidence-based advocacy and inclusive dialogue around investments taking place along the corridor.

The partnership also formalises cooperation among organisations working in areas such as community development, governance, environmental sustainability, livelihoods, gender equality, youth engagement and human rights.

Stretching across key mining and transport routes, the Lobito Corridor is expected to unlock major economic opportunities. Yet many communities along the route have expressed concern that large-scale projects often proceed with limited consultation and insufficient attention to local priorities.

The Corridor Voices Initiative seeks to address that gap by amplifying the voices of affected communities and strengthening engagement between citizens, government institutions, development partners and the private sector.

Partners have committed to sharing knowledge, coordinating advocacy efforts, generating evidence from communities and engaging constructively with decision-makers.

The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration among civil society organisations, promote inclusive advocacy, foster constructive dialogue and support development that is socially inclusive, environmentally responsible and economically beneficial for local populations.

For organisations working directly with communities, the partnership represents an opportunity to ensure that local experiences influence national and regional development decisions.

Kawama Widows and Orphans Project Director said communities in North-Western Province witness daily how infrastructure and mining investments reshape local lives.

“As civil society organisations working closely with communities in North-Western Province, we see every day how infrastructure and mining investments reshape local lives,” the director said.

“Corridor Voices Initiative gives our communities a platform to be heard, to influence decisions and to ensure that development along the Lobito Corridor is fair, inclusive and responsive to the realities on the ground.”

The remarks reflected a broader concern that development must be measured not only by roads, railways and investments, but also by whether local people experience tangible improvements in their livelihoods and wellbeing. 

And speaking at signing ceremony Continental Leadership Research Institute (CLRI) Executive Director Mr. Mundia Paul Hakoola said infrastructure development must be guided by environmental justice and transparency.

“The Continental Leadership Research Institute believes that sustainable infrastructure development must be guided by environmental justice, transparency and meaningful community participation,” Mr. Hakoola said.

“Through the Corridor Voices Initiative, we are proud to partner with like-minded organisations to ensure that the voices of affected communities inform development decisions, helping to safeguard both people and the environment for present and future generations.”

And meanwhile Zambian Governance Foundation (ZGF) Chief Executive Officer Ms. Engwase Banda Mwale, who argued that the traditional model of development must change.

                                    (Ms. Engwase B. Mwale signing and Ms. Stefanie Lagonigro)

“Development is not made for communities; it is actually made with communities,” Ms. Mwale said.

“That is what brings all of us together.”

Her remarks captured the spirit of the initiative: communities should not simply receive development; they should help define it.

Ms. Mwale said civil society organisations see themselves not as substitutes for community voices but as bridges connecting communities with government, investors and other stakeholders involved in the corridor.

“We are not just carriers of community voices,” she said. “We are going to be part and parcel of the process to ensure that communities are not only participating, but are fully active in the activities and programmes that will be implemented.”

The atmosphere in the conference hall was marked by optimism and a sense of shared purpose. Representatives from different organisations spoke as collaborators in a common effort rather than as separate institutions pursuing individual agendas.

“It is actually quite a happy moment for all of us,” Ms. Mwale said. “We are looking forward to making this work.”

As the ceremony concluded, conversations continued about livelihoods, environmental protection, youth opportunities and the importance of local ownership of development processes.

Those discussions reflected the deeper significance of the MoU: the belief that infrastructure corridors can become corridors of opportunity only when the people who live along them are genuinely heard.

The organizations which participated in the signing agreement were, Keepers Zambia Foundation (KZF), Center for Trade and Policy Development (CTPD), Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection (JCTR), MUSIKA, FAWEZA, Zambia Governance Foundation, Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ), PWYP Zambia and Kawama Widows, Zambia National Women’s Lobby.

For the partners behind the Corridor Voices Initiative, the signatures placed on paper in Lusaka are only the beginning. The real test will come in villages, towns and settlements along the Lobito Corridor, where communities are waiting not merely to be consulted, but to be recognised as co-authors of their own development story.

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 From Silence to the Classroom: A Survivor’s Journey Back to School

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — Every morning, children across Zambia walk through school gates carrying books, uniforms and hopes for a better future. Yet for many girls, another burden travels with them is fear.

Fear of violence at home. Fear of harassment in the community. Fear of being forced into marriage before completing school. Fear of speaking out.

Health experts and education advocates say these fears are not isolated experiences but part of a wider crisis that is quietly undermining Zambia’s development agenda.

Speaking to Daily News in Lusaka through an interview, Dr. Malizgani Paul Chavula, a Lecturer and Researcher in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at the University of Zambia’s School of Public Health, said that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains one of the country’s most serious social and public health challenges.

                                                         (Dr. Malizgani Paul Chavula)

“Gender-Based Violence remains a serious challenge in Zambia, affecting the wellbeing, safety and future of women, girls and entire communities,” Dr. Chavula said.

He explained that the impact of GBV extends far beyond individual survivors, affecting education, health and economic development.

“GBV contributes to school absenteeism, dropout, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, poor academic performance and reduced participation in educational programmes,” he said. “Many learners, especially girls, fail to reach their full potential because violence and fear create barriers to education and personal development.”

For many girls, the effects of violence appear first in small ways — missed lessons, declining grades, withdrawal from friends and reduced participation in school activities.

Child-protection workers report that girls who experience violence frequently struggle with emotional trauma, stigma and economic hardship, making it difficult to continue their education even when schools remain open to them.

When a girl leaves school because of violence, the consequences are not limited to one child. Communities lose future teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs and leaders.

Dr. Chavula argues that addressing GBV requires a much broader response than police action or court proceedings.

“Addressing GBV requires collaborative governance and collective action involving government ministries, schools, churches, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, parents, youth and community structures,” he said.

“No single institution can solve this problem alone.”

He said churches can help promote messages of respect, dignity and non-violence, while traditional leaders can challenge harmful cultural norms that perpetuate abuse and discrimination.

Schools, he added, have a responsibility to strengthen child-protection systems and ensure that learners know where to seek help.

Communities also play a critical role by supporting survivors rather than silencing them.

Across Zambia, organisations working in education and child protection are increasingly focusing on prevention.

Awareness campaigns are encouraging parents to keep girls in school, report abuse early and speak openly about violence. Youth groups are also emerging as important voices in promoting gender equality and challenging harmful social norms.

Advocates say changing attitudes is just as important as changing laws.

“When communities begin to reject violence, children become safer,” one civil society representative said during a recent child-protection discussion.

Supporters of stronger GBV prevention efforts say the goal is not only to protect survivors from immediate harm but also to ensure they can continue learning, growing and participating fully in society.

This requires access to counselling, healthcare, legal assistance and safe spaces where survivors can seek help without fear.

For many girls, timely support can mean the difference between returning to school and dropping out permanently.

Increasingly, experts are framing GBV as a national development issue rather than a private family matter.

So far Zambia has invested heavily in education, youth empowerment and gender equality programmes. Yet those investments cannot achieve their full impact if violence continues to force learners out of school.

“A country cannot build strong human capital while many of its girls are denied safety and opportunity,” Dr. Chavula said.

He stressed that protecting women and girls is inseparable from protecting education, health and economic development.

“GBV has no place in our homes, schools, churches or communities,” he said. “Protecting women and girls protects education, health and development.”

As the school day ends and children head home carrying homework and ambitions for tomorrow, whether those ambitions survive often depends on what awaits them beyond the school gate: a home free from violence, a community that values girls’ education, a church that teaches respect, a traditional leader who rejects harmful practices and a school that protects every learner.

And Daily News took an advantage during a election campaign in Monze Southern Province Zambia, by interviewing a  17-year-old Mary (not her real name) sits in her classroom, she often looks at the chalkboard for a moment before opening her exercise book. It is a quiet reminder that there was a time when she thought she would never be a pupil again.

Mary grew up in a low-income community of Nteme Constituency in Monze District. She was known among her teachers as a bright learner who loved English and dreamed of becoming a teacher.

“I used to tell my friends that one day I would stand in front of a class and teach children,” she said.

But that dream began to fade when she experienced Gender-Based Violence at home.

The abuse left her frightened and emotionally exhausted. She struggled to concentrate in class and began missing lessons frequently. Eventually, she stopped attending school altogether.

“I felt like my life had ended,” Mary recalled. “I stayed indoors most of the time. When I saw other girls going to school, I would cry.”

Months turned into a year. Her textbooks gathered dust while she helped with household chores and avoided former classmates.

“I thought people would laugh at me,” Mary Stated. “I thought I had failed.”

Mary’s turning point came when a community social worker visited her family after hearing that she had dropped out of school. The social worker encouraged her to speak openly about what had happened and linked her to counselling services.

“She told me that what happened was not my fault,” Mary said. “That sentence changed me.”

The counsellor worked with Mary to rebuild her confidence, while local community leaders encouraged her family to support her return to school. Her former head teacher also visited and assured her that the school would welcome her back.

“I was still afraid,” Mary admits. “I thought everyone would know my story.”

To ease her transition, the school arranged regular meetings with a guidance teacher and paired her with a supportive classmate.

“My hands were shaking when I entered the classroom,” she said. “I sat at the back and did not speak.”

During the first weeks, she avoided answering questions even when she knew the answers. Slowly, with encouragement from teachers and classmates, she began participating again.

One day, she volunteered to read aloud during an English lesson.

“When I finished reading and the teacher said, ‘Well done, Mary,’ I felt like I belonged there again,” she said.

Today, Mary is in Grade 11. She is one of the most active members of the school’s peer-support club, where learners discuss issues such as bullying, violence and mental health.

She now speaks to younger girls about the importance of reporting abuse and seeking help.

“I do not want another girl to suffer in silence,” she said. “There are people who can help.”

Mary’s academic performance has also improved steadily. She recently passed her end-of-term examinations and says she is preparing seriously for her final secondary school exams. Mary Explained.

Mary’s experience highlights the importance of coordinated support for survivors of Gender-Based Violence. Counselling, school support, family involvement and community acceptance can make the difference between permanent dropout and successful reintegration into education.

For Mary, returning to school was not only about resuming classes; it was about reclaiming her future.

“I learned that surviving violence is not the end of the story,” she added. “The next chapter can still be beautiful.”

Asked what she would say to another girl who has left school because of violence, Mary pauses before answering.

“I would tell her this: what happened to you does not define you,” she urged. “You are still worthy of education, respect and a future. Do not give up on yourself.”

Every step she takes in her school uniform is proof that violence did not destroy her dream — and that with support, courage and opportunity, a survivor can become a student again, a leader again and a symbol of hope for others.

Those small acts of protection, repeated across thousands of homes and communities, can shape the future of a nation.

Dr. Chavula believes the path forward lies in collective responsibility.

“Let us work together to prevent violence, support survivors, promote gender equality and create safe learning environments for every child in Zambia,” he said.

For Zambia, the fight against GBV is ultimately more than a campaign against violence. It is a fight for the classroom, for the girl child and for the country’s future.

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 More Than a Building: Luangwa Skills Centre Offers Hope to Young People" 

By Alain Kabinda 

For many young people in Luangwa District, the dream of acquiring vocational skills has often meant travelling long distances in search of training opportunities. Today, that reality is beginning to change. 

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and the Luangwa Child Development Agency has marked a significant milestone in securing the future of the Luangwa Skills Training Centre—a facility expected to transform the lives of young people through practical skills development, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities. 

The Centre was Constructed at a cost of approximately K9.7 million, the centre was made possible through financial support from the Government of New Zealand and ChildFund New Zealand, working in partnership with the Government of Zambia and local stakeholders. While the buildings now stand complete, stakeholders say the true measure of success will be seen in the lives changed through the training offered within its walls. 

Speaking during the signing ceremony, ChildFund Zambia Acting Director Ms. Mwaka Namwinga said the centre was established to address the long-standing challenge of limited access to vocational and skills training in Luangwa District. 

Ms. Namwinga noted that the investment goes beyond infrastructure. 

"It will be found in the young person who acquires a practical skill and finds an opportunity to earn a living. It will be found in the graduate who starts a small business, and in the many young people whose futures will be brighter because this centre exists," Ms. Namwinga said. 

Ms. Namwinga reaffirmed that its approach to development focuses on strengthening government institutions rather than creating parallel systems, describing the MoU as a foundation for sustainable collaboration. 

She also expressed confidence that, under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, the facility would evolve into a vibrant hub for technical training, entrepreneurship, innovation and employability.

She further stressed that infrastructure alone cannot deliver meaningful outcomes. It called for continued investment in qualified instructors, relevant training programmes, modern equipment, strong institutional leadership and partnerships with industry to ensure graduates acquire skills that respond to labour market demands. 

And speaking at the same ceremony Ministry of Youth, Sports and Arts Permanent Secretary for Youth, Sport and Arts Kangwa Cheleshi described the centre as more than a training institution. 

"The Luangwa Skills Training Centre stands as a symbol of hope and opportunity for the people of Luangwa District," he said. "It is a strategic investment in the future of our young people and in the socio-economic development of our country." Mr Kanagwa said. 

He added that the facility will provide market-driven technical and vocational skills that will enable young women and men to secure decent jobs, establish businesses and contribute meaningfully to national development. 

According to Mr. Cheleshi, the centre will also stimulate local economic growth by producing a skilled workforce capable of supporting sectors such as agriculture, tourism, construction and manufacturing within Luangwa District. 

He further announced that Treasury Authority had approved the recruitment of 260 additional staff members for youth resource centres across Zambia, describing the move as evidence of government's commitment to equipping young people with practical skills. 

"For us as a ministry, youth resource centres are game changers as far as youth empowerment is concerned," he said. 

He explained that unlike financial empowerment programmes that sometimes face poor loan repayment, skills training provides young people with lifelong opportunities to earn an income. 

"When we give young people a graduation kit, we are assured that they have acquired a skill that can sustain them for the rest of their lives," he said. 

Mr. Chelesh also challenged the perception that meaningful opportunities exist only in Lusaka. 

"Life is not just in Lusaka," he said, encouraging young people to enrol at skills centres in districts such as Luangwa before returning to establish businesses wherever they choose. 

He further appealed to the private sector to strengthen partnerships with government, noting that organisations such as Smart Zambia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have already contributed internet connectivity, computers and digital infrastructure to youth resource centres across the country. 

Mr Kanagwa urged traditional leaders and local authorities and communities to safeguard the Luangwa Skills Training Centre and ensure it remains a centre of excellence for future generations. 

He confirmed that staff have already been deployed to operationalise the facility, fulfilling government's commitment to the people of Luangwa. 

As pens were put to paper to formalize the partnership, the ceremony represented more than the signing of an agreement. It symbolized a shared commitment to creating opportunities for Zambia's young people through education, practical skills and enterprise. 

For the youth of Luangwa, the new skills training centre is not simply another public building—it is a gateway to employment, entrepreneurship and a more hopeful future.

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