LUSAKA - Students at the University of Zambia (UNZA) have presented their Student Union president, Mwanto Kabaso, with a symbolic Ballon d'Or in recognition of achievements recorded during his tenure, including the recent increase in student accommodation allowances.
The award follows President Hakainde Hichilema's announcement that accommodation allowances for students on government loans would increase from K3,900 to K5,850.
Kabaso has also become the first UNZASU president to lead students to State House twice within a single year.
The latest visit took place on Saturday, when President Hichilema announced the increase in accommodation allowances.
Students said the symbolic award also recognised other achievements during Kabaso's leadership, including the rehabilitation of the University of Zambia's sewer and water network, the first major works of their kind in more than 60 years.
Kabaso was further commended for championing the reintroduction of meal allowances for students during vacation, becoming the first UNZASU president to successfully advocate for the initiative.
Grace Bwalya, a Veterinary Medicine student, said that in her five years at UNZA she had experienced the best student leadership under Kabaso, who is popularly known among students as "Shuwa Shuwa."
Source: Kalemba