It was 2018 and a group of us had just graduated with Bachelor’s Degrees in Law – LLB – from the Zambia Open University. With long hours of mooting and endless sleepless nights, our study group turned into family. We were now brothers and sisters.
With academic fire still burning, most of us agreed to pursue a Master’s in Corporate Law while others chose to go to ZIALE. As at 2019, a few of us enrolled for our Master’s at ZCAS University – a programme designed to take 18 months.
During our studies, one of our colleagues, Jabulani Moyo, decided to drop out and pursue ZIALE. He went ahead to graduate and is now an Advocate of the High Court of Zambia, working with the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Another colleague who was the main catalyst for us to enrol at ZCAS, Jonathan Mukula, who is currently Registrar at the University, equally completed the LLM at ZCAS, went ahead to attempt ZIALE and was admitted to the Bar earlier this year.
While my colleagues were all progressing, sadly I was not.
A Master’s that was to take 18 months took me 7 years. One can say it turned into a course in medicine – a Doctor’s degree.
Why did it take so long? In 2017 our new station, Diamond TV, had just gone on air and those in business will agree that starting and building a new entity is not easy. The first 5 years are a crucial nurturing and building stage. So while I was frustrated with my slow academic progress, I was busy building a new TV brand. Then came the 2021 elections – a huge project – then expansion of the channel into Southern Africa.
All this felt like a breaking point. I wanted to quit school and failed to complete my dissertation. All my friends had made it, including some who enrolled after me.
Then it hit me – this was not about anyone else but me. I was running my own race at my own pace. The Bible says, _”In my own time I the Lord will make it happen.”_
So finally, after 7 years, we have Mastered it! Masters in Corporate and Commercial Law – LLM.
The moral of the story is this: Slow and steady wins the race. Consistency is the power of habit and it’s never too late to finish nor to start, no matter the age, year or timing.
Today I am proud that both the business and academics have won due to dedication and commitment of my time and efforts. On to the next one!
