Immaculate Regina Sikanyika
“Giving up is never an option for a true leader–they press on even when pushing proves impossible,” he said.
By Immaculate Regina Sikanyika
Having lived a life full of purpose and public service, veteran peacemaker Dr. Vernon Mwaanga’s footprints of leadership, tells best the tales of an answered call to serving humanity. Tales that describes the act of public service as serving the country and its people and not serving one self or relationships.
In the early years of independence, propelled by his love and value for education, Dr. Mwaanga saw the gaps in the education system of the country and realised the need to complement governments’ efforts of ensuring that education was provided to the people of Zambia.
To this reason, him as the pioneer with the kind of others, they built from scratch a non-profit making school on his 100-hectares land in Highbex Hill in 1976.
Demonstrating the strongest values of a leader–knowing when exactly to step down, pave way, and raise other leaders to reign –after more than 30 years of the school existence, Dr. Mwaanga offered the school to the Catholic Jesuits at a zero fee and handed over the now St. Ignatius College in 2012.
On May 18 2026, Dr. Mwaanga paid a courtesy visit to the school Principal Ms. Mary Bishongo and her deputy Mr. Rex Mankinka. To them he narrated how the school started and explained why he chose to give it at no cost, because it was not meant to profit.
Speaking to the learners, he told of how the school had been among the top 10 best schools in the country and emphasised the need for them to work hard and excel in their studies. He said students need to aim high, never give up and take advantage of opportunities offered to take the country to new heights.
“At no point did I or other leaders feel like giving up, it was never an option because we had faith and were determined to ensure that we succeeded in what we were doing –creating a safe and better Zambia.”
On behalf of the school, Principal Bishongo expressed gratitude to Dr. Mwaanga for his passion and gesture for quality education, and for having time to visit the school and have conversations with learners.
Dr. Mwaanga’s dream and vision for education, his initial works and commitments, remains a game changer with a lasting purpose that will continue to benefit and inspire many generations.
