ZED Supershop

16/08/2026

06/07/2026

ARISE 52 CHANGEMAKERS ZAMBIA 2026

Some people don't just succeed, they change lives, transform communities, and shape the future of our nation.

Arise 52 Changemakers Zambia 2026 is an independent editorial recognition by Arise Africa Magazine, celebrating 52 exceptional Zambians whose leadership, innovation, service, and integrity are creating lasting impact.

This is not a popularity contest. It is not based on nominations or sponsorship. Every selection is guided by publicly verifiable impact and a commitment to national transformation.

The countdown begins. Zambia's changemakers are rising.

Who do you believe deserves to be recognized?

03/07/2026

CHERISE MAKUBALE: FROM REALITY TV STAR TO A LIFE OF IMPACT.

History remembers champions, but it reserves a special place for those who turn success into service. More than two decades after becoming the first winner of Big Brother Africa, Cherise Makubale continues to inspire not because of the spotlight she once occupied, but because of the quiet, enduring impact she continues to make. In September 2003, millions of viewers watched history unfold as a young woman from Kitwe, Zambia, won the inaugural season of Big Brother Africa. At just 24, Cherise walked away with the US$100,000 grand prize, winning hearts through her humility, authenticity, and compassion. For many, such success would have marked the beginning of a celebrity lifestyle. Cherise chose a different path. Rather than allowing fame to define her, she turned it into a platform for service. Her story reminds us that while fame may introduce us to the world, purpose gives life lasting significance.

A NATION CELEBRATES ITS DAUGHTER
Before becoming a continental icon, Cherise was a procurement officer living an ordinary life on Zambia's Copperbelt. Inside the Big Brother house, she stood out not through controversy, but through kindness and authenticity. After 106 days of competition, she became the first-ever Big Brother Africa winner and the first Black contestant to win a Big Brother franchise anywhere in the world. Zambia celebrated her return with immense pride. Her victory became a symbol of hope for young people across the country. Yet history would remember her for something even greater than her victory.

BEYOND FAME, TOWARD PURPOSE
Success is more than an achievement; it is a responsibility. While many pursue influence for personal gain, Cherise understood that influence is meant to serve others. Through the Cherise Makubale Foundation, she has supported vulnerable children, widows, orphanages, disability centres, schools, and underserved communities. Her humanitarian work has never been driven by publicity, but by genuine compassion. For Cherise, community service goes beyond charitable giving. It is about how people care for one another, strengthen their communities, and respect the environments they share. Even after relocating to the United Kingdom, she has remained connected to Zambia, particularly the Copperbelt, demonstrating that influence finds its highest purpose in service.

THE HEART BEHIND THE MISSION
Behind every meaningful life are values that shape its direction. One lesson from her mother became the foundation of Cherise's mission: "Whilst we may not help everyone, everyone can help someone." Those simple words continue to guide her work. Through education, community projects, and charitable initiatives, she has shown that success is measured not by what we accumulate, but by what we contribute. For her, greatness is found in her community service. One of Cherise Makubale's favourite sayings perfectly captures the philosophy that guides her life: "A simple act of kindness creates an endless ripple."

CHARACTER OUTLIVES CELEBRITY
In an age that celebrates visibility, Cherise reminds us that character outlives fame. Although she stepped away from public attention, she never stepped away from serving people. More than twenty years after her victory, she is remembered not simply as a reality television winner, but as a woman who used her influence to uplift others. Applause fades. Titles change. Trends come and go. Character, however, leaves a legacy that time cannot erase. Success may open doors, but character determines what remains after the spotlight is gone
A LEGACY BIGGER THAN TELEVISION
Today, while living in the United Kingdom, Cherise continues to champion humanitarian causes through her foundation and community initiatives. While winning the Big Brother Africa prize transformed her life, she believes it was discipline and wise stewardship that turned that God-given opportunity into lasting impact. By managing the prize responsibly, she built a successful business that continues to support her community work, particularly where funding is difficult to access. Her journey from a young woman in Kitwe to Africa's first Big Brother champion and respected humanitarian shows that success is not simply about receiving an opportunity, but about what we do with it. Many people achieve fame. Few build a legacy. Her life reminds us that success is never meant to end with ourselves. It should become a bridge through which others find hope, opportunity, and dignity.

LESSONS FROM CHERISE MAKUBALE
1. Success Is a Platform, Not a Destination: Achievements matter most when they create opportunities for others.
2. Character Outlasts Popularity: Fame may make people know your name, but character determines how they remember you.
3. Never Forget Your Roots: True leaders remain committed to the communities that shaped them.
4. Influence Finds Its Highest Purpose in Service: Leadership becomes meaningful when it improves the lives of others.
5. Your Greatest Legacy Is Impact: Money fades, titles change, but lives transformed through kindness become an enduring legacy.

01/06/2026

ARNOLD KALUBA: THE LAWYER LEADING A NEW ERA.
https://arisemagazine.online/?p=313

Some careers are built on ambition. Others are built on purpose.

Arnold Kaluba’s remarkable journey reflects the power of combining both. From the lecture halls of the University of Zambia to the historic corridors of Oxford University, from corporate boardrooms to the leadership of Zambia’s most influential legal body, his path has been defined by excellence, service, and an unwavering pursuit of growth. Today, as President of the Law Association of Zambia, he stands as one of the country’s most respected legal minds and a powerful example of what becomes possible when vision is matched by discipline.

A distinguished lawyer, academic, Rhodes Scholar, legislative drafter, arbitrator, and Managing Partner of Arnold Kaluba & Associates, Kaluba represents a new generation of African leadership built on competence, integrity, intellectual rigor, and a commitment to nation-building.

His election as President of the Law Association of Zambia in April 2026 marked a significant milestone not only in his personal journey but also in the evolution of Zambia’s legal profession. Yet, like all meaningful achievements, this moment was years in the making. Behind the titles and accolades lies a story of discipline, preparation, resilience, and purpose. It is a story that inspires a generation of young Africans to dream bigger, work harder, and pursue excellence without compromise.

A FOUNDATION BUILT ON EXCELLENCE

Long before leading Zambia’s premier legal body, Arnold Kaluba was a young man driven by learning and leadership. At the University of Zambia, he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree with Merit and served as President of the Law Students Association, displaying the leadership qualities that would define his career. While many focus solely on academic success, Kaluba intentionally developed the discipline, character, and leadership skills that prepared him for greater responsibilities. His early years reflected a simple truth: excellence is built through consistent effort.

THE RHODES SCHOLAR JOURNEY

Few academic honours rival the prestige of the Rhodes Scholarship. In 2014, Arnold Kaluba joined an elite global network of scholars when he received the scholarship to study at the University of Oxford. At Oxford, he earned a Master of Science degree, deepening his understanding of law, governance, public policy, and global affairs. He later obtained a Master of Laws in Corporate and Commercial Law from the University of Sheffield, further strengthening his expertise in commercial practice. His academic journey demonstrates a powerful lesson for young Africans: education remains one of the most effective tools for transformation. Knowledge opens doors; excellence keeps them open.

TURNING KNOWLEDGE INTO NATIONAL IMPACT

Academic achievement creates opportunities, but impact comes from applying knowledge to serve others. For more than a decade, Arnold Kaluba has lectured law at the University of Zambia, mentoring future lawyers and inspiring generations of students. His commitment to education reflects a leadership philosophy rooted in multiplication: true leaders do not simply succeed; they help others succeed. Through teaching, mentorship, and professional guidance, he continues to invest in Zambia’s future.

BUILDING A DISTINGUISHED LEGAL CAREER

Professional excellence is built over time through experience and mastery. Arnold Kaluba began his legal career at Corpus Legal Practitioners before joining Investrust Bank Plc as Assistant Legal Counsel, where he gained valuable expertise in banking law, corporate governance, compliance, and commercial transactions. Today, he serves as Managing Partner of Arnold Kaluba & Associates, a full-service corporate and commercial law firm in Lusaka. His expertise spans corporate governance, banking and finance, international arbitration, competition law, commercial property law, legislative drafting, international business transactions, and diplomacy, positioning him among Zambia’s most respected legal professionals.

LEADERSHIP EARNED THROUGH SERVICE

A defining feature of Arnold Kaluba’s journey is that his leadership has been earned through service. Before becoming President of the Law Association of Zambia, he served as both Council Member and Honorary Secretary, contributing to the profession long before seeking its highest office. In April 2026, legal practitioners across the country elected him President of the Law Association of Zambia, affirming years of dedicated service, professional excellence, and principled leadership. As President, he now carries the responsibility of safeguarding the independence of the legal profession, promoting justice, strengthening institutions, and advancing the interests of legal practitioners nationwide. It is a role that demands courage, wisdom, and vision and one for which he is exceptionally prepared.

CHAMPIONING THE NEXT GENERATION

One of Arnold Kaluba’s most admirable qualities is his commitment to young professionals. Across Africa, graduates enter an increasingly competitive job market, and the legal profession is no exception. Recognizing these challenges, Kaluba has consistently championed mentorship, professional development, and greater opportunities for young lawyers and law students.

His message is simple: the future strength of the legal profession depends on the success of its next generation. True leaders do not build platforms for themselves alone, they create pathways for others. By investing in emerging talent, Kaluba is helping shape a stronger, more dynamic, and inclusive legal profession.

A VOICE FOR GOVERNANCE AND REFORM

Throughout his career, Arnold Kaluba has been a strong advocate for transparency, accountability, and institutional excellence. As a lawyer, academic, and professional leader, he has consistently promoted good governance and the rule of law. He understands that strong institutions are essential for economic growth, social stability, and democratic development. His leadership reflects a simple but powerful belief: the law is not merely about rules, it is about creating systems that enable societies to thrive.

MORE THAN A LAWYER, A NATION BUILDER

What makes Arnold Kaluba’s story particularly inspiring is that it extends beyond professional achievement. From his early roles with Restless Development and the Central Statistics Office to becoming a Rhodes Scholar, lecturer, legal practitioner, and national leader, every chapter reflects growth, discipline, and service. His success was built through years of learning, sacrifice, and perseverance. His journey reminds young Africans that circumstances do not determine destiny. With excellence, commitment, and persistence, extraordinary achievements remain possible.

THE LEGACY IN MOTION

Arnold Kaluba’s story is still being written, yet it already stands as a powerful example of purpose-driven leadership. From law student to Rhodes Scholar, lecturer to managing partner, and legal practitioner to President of the Law Association of Zambia, each chapter reflects a commitment to excellence and nation-building. His journey reminds us that leadership is not a destination but a responsibility. Beyond the titles and accomplishments lies something even more significant: a leader committed to making a difference. Excellence. Integrity. Service. The Arnold Kaluba Effect.