Vice President Mutale-Nalumango, has called on the University of Zambia (UNZA) management to foster continuous engagement with student leaders to prevent unrest and maintain a peaceful academic environment.
Speaking at the opening of the inaugural Leadership and Conflict Resolution Training for Student Leaders at UNZA, Dr. Mutale-Nalumango emphasized the government’s commitment to engaging with students across the country. She reaffirmed that leadership should be rooted in listening, engaging, and collaborating, encouraging students to adopt the same approach.
“Our leadership approach remains to listen, engage, and collaborate. We encourage all students to follow suit,” Dr. Mutale-Nalumango stated.
She further stressed that leadership is a privilege that must be undertaken with responsibility to drive positive change, highlighting the importance of constructive dialogue between student representatives and university authorities.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education Douglas Syakalima noted that the training program equips students with essential skills in dialogue, consensus-building, and strategic negotiation. He underscored the importance of resolving conflicts through non-violent means and proactive engagement.
UNZA Deputy Vice-Chancellor Boniface Namangala acknowledged the positive shift in student leadership, citing improved relations between the student union and university management. He commended the current leadership for prioritizing peace and professionalism in their engagements.
UNZA Student Union (UNZASU) President Dixon Mutambo welcomed the government’s initiative, urging authorities to continue addressing student concerns to sustain harmony on campus.
The training marks a significant step toward nurturing responsible and solution-driven leadership among students, reinforcing the government’s commitment to fostering a conducive learning environment in Zambia’s higher education institutions.
Good advice, but leadership should also prioritize collaboration and listening.
What some must understand is dialog is the way to go, however in the past this dialog has been one sided and this brings out tension and reprecussions
so GRZ should step up to the table and practice what the preach
Funny thing about the statement is that these people used to support student protests and sometimes even joined these protests.
Why is it vital for students to defend their rights and articulate issues of national importance? Why should students hold leaders accountable in their leadership duties?
Why is student leadership key in contributing to national development and to enhancing democracy?
Its always like that. When in government the opposition sees the need for dialogue. When out of government the opposition will support all kinds of protests. “My interests first” is the rule of survival
We call the dishonesty
The same people who use students for their political milage are now asking for dialogue. You are the same people who weaponised our students. All forward thinking countries invest heavily in their institutions of higher learning. Students are the future of any nation. This is why you produce anarchists in parliament because that’s the only language they understand.
Why do most students protest? Is because their causes are unreasonable or driven by greed?
Ba Nalumango bena bamona kwati Bamako sana. Mayo wisdom yena mwabwelapofye. Just because you’re vice president does not mean you have the monopoly of wisdom. First look at the person who appointed you as his VP, he is rich but he also lacks wisdom.