Samuel Daka

26/07/2025

23/07/2025

Honoured to Witness a Global Moment on Climate Action

Yesterday, I had the honour of being invited by the United Nations Resident Coordinator to attend a Watch Party of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Address on Climate Change. This was not just another event it was a global call to action, a reminder that climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a present crisis demanding urgent and united efforts.

As I listened to the Secretary-General’s impassioned words, I couldn’t help but reflect on how Zambia has not been spared from the devastating impacts of climate change. From increasingly erratic weather patterns to prolonged droughts, the effects are real, and they are hitting us hard.

Perhaps the most hard-hit sector is our energy sector. Zambia, which relies heavily on hydroelectric power, has experienced the worst load shedding in its history a direct consequence of reduced water levels in our reservoirs caused by changing climate patterns.

This has disrupted:

▪︎ Industrial production, reducing productivity and profits.

▪︎ Small businesses, many of which rely on electricity to run essential operations.

▪︎ Hospitals and clinics, affecting access to life-saving medical services.

▪︎ Schools and universities, limiting learning and digital access.

▪︎ Households, forcing families to revert to unsustainable sources like charcoal, further harming our environment.

In the face of these challenges, it is commendable that the Zambian government has resolved to diversify our sources of power generation with growing investment in solar, thermal, and other renewable energy alternatives. This shift is vital, not just for energy security, but also for climate resilience and sustainable development.

The road ahead is not easy, but it is necessary. We must continue to raise awareness, invest in clean energy, and adapt our policies to protect both people and planet.

Thank you to the UN Resident Coordinator and the entire UN team in Zambia for this opportunity.

Samuel Daka

Association President

University of Zambia United Nations Youth Association Unza-Yuna

18/07/2025

Nelson Mandela Day: Honoring a Legacy of Unity, Sacrifice, and Vision

Every year on July 18th, the world pauses to honor one of the most iconic figures of our time, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, a man whose life’s journey shaped not only the destiny of South Africa but inspired generations across the globe.

Mandela was not just a political leader; he was a symbol of hope, reconciliation, and forgiveness in a world often marked by division and conflict. His unwavering commitment to justice and his ability to unite people of different races, backgrounds, and beliefs set him apart as more than a president he was a true servant-leader.

“Nelson Mandela redefined what it means to be an extraordinary leader.”

These words ring true when we reflect on his life. After spending 27 years in prison for fighting apartheid, he emerged not with bitterness but with a dream for unity. He led South Africa’s transition to democracy, becoming its first Black President in 1994. Instead of seeking revenge, Mandela championed reconciliation setting up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to heal a broken nation.

What many people may not know is that Zambia holds a very special place in Mandela’s heart and history. In fact, the first country Mandela visited after being elected President was Zambia a profound gesture of gratitude. Zambia was a strong supporter of the African National Congress (ANC) during apartheid and hosted many South African freedom fighters during their years in exile. Mandela’s visit was more than diplomatic it was a homecoming to a nation that had stood with him during the darkest days of struggle.

Mandela’s leadership wasn’t about commanding power it was about lifting others up. He united enemies, built bridges, and inspired a continent. His legacy reminds us that leadership is not about title or position, but about character, vision, and compassion.

As we celebrate Nelson Mandela Day, we are called not only to remember him but to live like him to dedicate time to service, to forgive where there is hurt, and to unitme where there is division.

Happy Nelson Mandela International Day 🇿🇦

Samuel Daka
Association President
University of Zambia United Nations Youth Association Unza-Yuna

09/07/2025

"You are never too young to lead and you should never doubt your capacity to triumph where others have not."

- Kofi Annan, 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations

08/07/2025

Psalm 133 (MSG)

1–3
How wonderful, how beautiful,
when brothers and sisters get along!

It’s like costly anointing oil
flowing down head and beard,
Flowing down Aaron’s beard,
flowing down the collar of his priestly robes.

It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon
flowing down the slopes of Zion.

Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing,
ordains eternal life.

08/07/2025

"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success."
– Henry Ford

Happy Unity Day!

07/07/2025

Heros are not just those who fought with weapons, but those who stand everyday for truth, justice, and the betterment of others even when no one is watching.

Happy heros day.

We're just getting started!

Samuel Daka

Association President

University of Zambia United Nations Youth Association Unza-Yuna

06/07/2025

SDG AWARENESS

Poverty is not just a lack of money it’s a lack of access, of opportunity, of voice, and often, of dignity. When the world adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015, it was a bold declaration: that our generation would be the one to end poverty in all its forms, everywhere.

But how did we get here? And how far have we come?

The Birth of the SDGs

The SDGs are the successors of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) a global 15-year campaign (2000–2015) that helped reduce extreme poverty by more than half. However, many people were still left behind.

So, in 2015, 193 countries at the United Nations agreed on Agenda 2030, a set of 17 global goals aimed at transforming the world for people and planet. Goal Number 1 was the most urgent and foundational:

SDG 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

So What Exactly Does SDG 1 Aim For?

SDG 1 isn't just about reducing the number of poor people it’s about ending extreme poverty (people living below \$2.15 per day) and addressing multi-dimensional poverty (poor health, lack of education, unsafe housing, no access to clean water, etc.).

It also calls for:

Equal access to economic resources and services
▪︎ Social protection systems for the vulnerable
▪︎ Resilience-buildingfor the poor against climate disasters and economic shocks

Progress So Far: A Mixed Picture

Globally, we made progress from 2015 to around 2019 but the COVID-19 pandemic reversed years of gains. According to the UN, over 700 million people are still trapped in extreme poverty as of 2024.

Add to that:

▪︎ Conflicts (like in Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza)
▪︎ Climate disasters (droughts, floods, cyclones)
▪︎ Rising food and fuel prices

These factors have pushed millions back into poverty, especially in developing regions.

🇿🇲 What About Zambia?

Zambia has made some efforts toward SDG 1 through:

▪︎ Social cash transfer programmes
▪︎ Agricultural subsidies [FISP]
▪︎ Youth empowerment funds
▪︎ Free education policies

But challenges remain. Rural poverty is still very high, youth unemployment is rising, and many communities still lack access to decent income-generating opportunities.

According to recent data, over 54% of Zambians still live below the national poverty line. That number is even higher in rural areas.

Why This Matters and What You Can Do?

Ending poverty is not just a government or UN goal. It’s a human goal. A Zambian goal. A youth goal. Each of us can play a part:

▪︎ Advocate for fair economic policies
▪︎ Support small local businesses
▪︎ Volunteer with or support NGOs that empower vulnerable groups
▪︎ Educate ourselves and others on issues that keep people trapped in poverty

Leave No One Behind

SDG 1 is not just about statistics it’s about people. It's about the child who goes to bed hungry, the woman walking miles for clean water, the graduate with no job, the grandmother without healthcare.

We cannot build a prosperous world while millions are still left behind.

Let’s do our part to bring dignity, opportunity, and hope to every corner of this nation.

Because ending poverty isn’t just a goal.

It’s a responsibility.

04/07/2025

Developing the Leaders Around You: Why True Leadership is Never a One-Man Show

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in leadership is this: A great leader does not shine alone. A great leader multiplies leaders.

Too often, leadership is misunderstood as a position reserved for the “best of the best.” But this is a flawed view. Leadership isn’t always about being the most gifted, the loudest voice in the room, or the most visible. More often, it’s about being entrusted with a mandate to serve and steward others. As John Maxwell puts it, “Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”

In my role as UNZA YUNA President, I’ve made it a point not to centralize authority, but rather to decentralize leadership. I intentionally create space for the amazing leaders around me to operate, make decisions, and lead in their areas without needing to seek my permission for every move. Whether it's the Vice President coordinating stakeholder meetings, the Publicity Chair designing media strategies, or the Projects and Campaigns Committee leading student engagement activities, I give room and most importantly, I give trust.

And the results have been powerful.

When people feel empowered, not micromanaged, they do more than what is asked. They become innovative. They own the vision. They take initiative. They develop others in turn. This model has helped us as a team achieve record participation in our events, secure new partnerships, and see unprecedented youth engagement across the University of Zambia.

Harvard Professor Ronald Heifetz, known for his work on adaptive leadership, reminds us that “leadership is about helping people face reality and mobilizing them to make progress.” It’s not about having all the answers yourself it’s about equipping others to find the answers. Similarly, Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, argues that Level 5 Leaders those who build enduring greatness combine humility with a fierce commitment to developing others.

That is the kind of leader I aspire to be. And that is the kind of leadership Zambia needs.

Here’s what I believe with all my heart: A leader’s legacy is not measured by how well they led, but by how many others they raised up to lead.

So whether you are leading a student organization, a church department, a family, or a nation, ask yourself: Am I building a following, or am I building leaders?

We're just getting started!

Samuel Daka

Association President

University of Zambia United Nations Youth Association Unza-Yuna

02/07/2025

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” — Abraham Lincoln

This morning, I had the privilege of leading the University of Zambia United Nations Youth Association Unza-Yuna Executive Team on a courtesy call to the UNDP Zambia Country Representative, His Excellency Dr. James Wakiaga.

Serving as President of the United Nations Association at the University of Zambia is a responsibility I hold with deep appreciation and purpose. Every step we take is a brick laid in the foundation of a future built on public service and meaningful engagement.

We’re just getting started.