Finishing Strong: UNILUS Edition

‘LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!’ is the best way to describe 11th February 2019 from my lens. I stepped into the University Of Lusaka Pioneer Campus at 05:45 AM; perhaps too early, but with just the right dose of eagerness to thrive in my new role. Little did I know that the next five and a half years would be: a dream brought to life and a series of endless adventure-filled opportunities for me to thrive in.

Before I became a professional, I dreamt about being ‘little Miss Everything’. I believed I could: work as a Journalist, have my foot in the corporate world, become a Lecturer in order to pass on the Media knowledge that I attained at Rhodes University , and fulfil my childhood dream of contributing to the advertising industry in Zambia. UNILUS presented a stage for me to do all this – simply through my role as Marketing and Public Relations Officer. In fact, if my time at UNILUS were to be described as an episode of the famous sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S., it would be: “The One with The Fitting Job!”

Jobs that offer a sense of security are good; those that challenge you are even better! My job at UNILUS was one that dared me to aspire to be the best version of myself – professionally. Even though I didn’t know it at the time, I was stepping into a role that I would fit perfectly into. I was stepping into the unknown, daring to dream, and intentionally deciding that I would do more than just succeed. I decided I would leave a positive mark. So, I hit the ground running!

I debuted into my role with a Women’s Day video. My aim was to celebrate the female employees while indirectly marketing the university. This was particularly fun because I was privileged to have my first professional meeting with my favourite artiste – Mag44. Following that interaction, we partnered to create the catchy jingle that you might have heard on radio and in UNILUS Social Media content.

The debut Women’s Day video seemed to be a successful marketing tool. I got phone calls, office visits, and numerous complements for its diverse visual content; many where the times when people would tell me: “I was wondering who the new girl at UNILUS is!” In retrospect: my most recent work is markedly better. In fact: the 2024 Women’s Day video is a fitting display of how my work positively transitioned – but, for its time, the video was an attention-gripper.

??????????? ?? 2019 Women’s Day Video: click to watch

?? 2024 Women’s Day Video: click to watch

Seasons have changed, years have passed, and I have been privileged to grow through the various marketing and public relations activities that were under my role. I couldn’t have done any of it without the support of my team – The 5 Ms of Marketing as we called ourselves (a name stemming from the fact that all our names begin with M: Mawila Natasha Chipoya , Machela Mumba , Mambwe Mulenga , Mutumba Litebele , and Moono). Ours was a vibrant and young team that shared many laughs and tears; as would be expected from a team with different thinkers, which I understand is normal. After all: a gem cannot be polished without friction!

My five highlights of being a part of the 5 Ms of Marketing are:

1.???? Successfully planning and executing 7 Graduation Ceremonies,

2.???? Hosting 14 fun-filled Orientations,

3.???? Bonding over nice meals as part of our team building,

4.???? Praying as a team to commit our work to the Lord, and

5.???? Reminding everyone that I was their kasuli (youngest) and they had to nurture me!

For the most part, I stepped into my office in the morning thinking to myself: “I’ve got the coolest job on the planet!” I did things I could have only imagined in a daydream, like: interacting with industry leaders and having a plethora of inspiring people to interview. The best part about my role was making content for a target market that I could relate with and that were always willing to teach me new trends!

Someone once asked me, “Do you even work, or you just come here to have fun?” The truth is that I did both and gave ‘work’ and ‘fun’ mutual respect. I was intentional about ensuring everything I touched was adequately planned and delivered in the most appealing manner.

I like to say: if I could do one thing for the rest of my life, it would be writing. Nonetheless, at UNILUS, I found my niche in Reel (video) creation – something that our target market visibly favoured. I particularly enjoyed creating content prior to our graduation ceremonies. There was something about the joy within our graduands that would rub off on me and I delighted in sharing their smiles with Social Media followers. My 10 favourite reels were:

1.???? The Day in the Life of a UNILUS Student series (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAprKQEuqD8/)

2.???? 2024 Youth Day video (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4Z0MZMoD7_/)

3.???? Dress Code Challenge (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1_xAqeoNX5/)

4.???? Hague Debators congratulatory videos (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8mUtwtIZNv/)

5.???? Mooters congratulatory video (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9m_dJFoQwx/)

6.???? Graduation promotional videos (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA-XSh_OGyg/)

7.???? Orientation videos (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9ug8onI4Xl/)

8.???? ZIALE video (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4H8rWvojQr/)

9.???? Miss UNILUS videos (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-kQQJOu7kX/)

10.? Court Day video (https://www.instagram.com/reel/CurfNxjoSYq/), this is the most watched video on the UNILUS page.

Outside of my role, I had the opportunity to step into other capacities and experience different work environments. The role that became my favourite to step into was: Lecturing. Like I said, I had always dreamt about being a Lecturer, so when the opportunity presented itself through Abby Nakalinda and Mutale Muchule Natasha Mpuku, MCom, BA(Hons), PgDTM, BA – I jumped at it! My guest lectures focused on: Personal Branding and LinkedIn .

It was in these lectures that I met my Intern – Chimwemwe Daka . In retrospect, it’s safe to describe her as the ray of light at the end of my UNILUS tunnel. I couldn’t have picked a better way to conclude my almost six years at UNILUS, than to share the knowledge and experience that I had attained while learning from someone in my target market. I truly have been professionally privileged!

The last five and a half years have been a dream! In my mother tongue (Tonga), we say “Nichali boobu, nichali chibwotu”, which means: if it was like this, it would be lovely. And my UNILUS journey has been the epitome of lovely! My only regret is that my late father, Chisanga Chungu, did not witness me at the prime of my professional journey thus far. Yet still, my time at UNILUS was definitely a dream brought to life.

TRIBUTES: God (through Whom I derived the strength to do it all), my parents Manyando Chungu and Chisanga Chungu (who have always supported me), my entire family ( Boniface Chitambala , munsanda siachinji , Chanda Chungu , Wabei Chitambala , and the whole clan), my friends who have cheered me on throughout the journey ( Sheila M Kasongole , Namoonda Haanyika , Mutale Muchule Natasha Mpuku, MCom, BA(Hons), PgDTM, BA , Muna Lombe , Bwalya Undi , Stephanie Malubila , Tinozye Kumwenda , Musebo Mwansa and the whole gang), my mentor ( Sandra Malupande ), the founder of UNILUS (Prof. pinalo chifwanakeni ) my colleagues who made my efforts light ( Chipo Sampa , Kapusama Chilufya Mwitwa , Chilufya Mukuma , Chipampe Lombe, Theresa Lumbama-Kaputo , Abraham Kainda , Pourine Chilupula , Chenela Mwale ), my superiors ( Prof Chipasha Mulenga , Bryson Mumba, PhD , Dennis Michelo , Mercy C. , Kasonde Bowa , Sikopo Lubasi, Mwamba Chanda , Pinalo Chifwanakeni Jr. , and the entire management team), the Students ( Natasha Nondo , Hazel Chibenga , Dumisani Mweemba , Tino Miti , Asiyatu Mdala , Austin Bweendo Kachenga , Nicole Bwanya , Mwila Chriseddy Bwanga , Eager Kapambwe , Pemba Manengu , Shalom Katongo , Mauzhya Chintu , Lubumbe Jeremiah Mulanda , and all their amazing counterparts), my clients ( Oscar Ndalama , Linda Wazili , Wezi Muyembe MZIM , Tukiya Tambatamba , Ngosa Chikaka , Mwape Vera Kenani MBA , and everyone who was simply a phone call away), the media, and everyone who has played a part in my journey. I appreciate you all.