IN a small, busy office within the judiciary, a cleaner and single mother quietly dreamed of a future that seemed almost impossible. Every mop stroke and every cleaned surface fueled her desire to trade her mop for the robes of a lawyer.
For others and many ladies, especially those who have labeled themselves to being certified slay queens, a business of selling of kapenta, fish or rearing chicken would never be an option as a mean of survival. But for Muunga Thuma Munsanje, the story is a little different.
Despite carrying both beauty and brains, the Lusaka woman, who is a mother of one has proven to also be a hard working and focused lady, driven by perseverance and her dream to one day be admitted to the bar.
And Luckily for her, it was not only okay for her to dream as her dream also came true. She was on Friday among the lawyers that were being admitted to the bar as advocates of the High Court of Zambia.
In an interview with Kalemba, Munsanje shared her relentless drive to defy all odds that society had.
Coming from a humble background, her journey began when she joined the judiciary as a cleaner.
While scrubbing floors, she was inspired by the legal professionals around her and resolved to become one of them.
“I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I believed that with God, anything is possible,” she recalls.
So in 2017, Munsanje finally enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme at Zambian Open University, but her salary as a cleaner was far too small to cover tuition fees.
Due to the financial challenges she faced, she turned to entrepreneurship, starting a small fish and kapenta business and it was this venture that sustained her throughout her years of study.
“I sold fish and kapenta to pay for my fees and also to help my parents with food,” she narrated.
“It was tough, but I knew I had to keep going.”
Her struggles were not confined to finances. Some colleagues mocked her aspirations, doubting her ability to juggle work, studies, and business, but there words could not put off Munsanje burning light to succeed in her career.
She remained steadfast, balancing her time between law school, work, and business, which was tiring, yet she persevered, completing her degree in 2020 and graduating in May 2021.
In the same year, she enrolled at the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE), where her challenges multiplied.
Known for its rigorous programme, ZIALE required undivided attention. But Munsanje still needed to sell her kapenta and fish to afford tuition fees.
“There were days I missed classes because I had to sell my products. Balancing everything was a struggle, and I failed my first attempt,” she told Kalemba.
But failure did not define her. In 2024, she passed the repeaters exam, a triumph she attributes to God and the support of friends who helped her through discussions.
“God did it for me. I give Him all the glory. I’m also grateful to my friends who helped me through group discussions,” she alluded.
Now an Advocate of the High Court of Zambia, she looks back at her journey with pride and hope as she dreams of serving on the bench but is open to other opportunities where her skills and determination can make a difference.
The single mother further encouraged young girls aiming to achieve their dreams never to give up on themselves or sell themselves to become their dreams.
“To young girls out there, put God first in everything, start small businesses to sponsor your education. Be focused, determined, and believe in yourself. God will provide,” advised Munsanje.
A lot of people may not be fair to you, or in your life, but for once, be a Munsanje, determined to be your own lawyer. Because while others sit, you can stand up for yourself and for your life.
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba December 24, 2024
