24/02/2026
Reflection on My Journey to the Bar (2025) - Mr David Munzele Esq.
If I said making it on the first attempt was easy, I’d be lying. The journey was never easy. Coming from a background where academic success isn't commonly seen, I had to dig deep within myself. I always knew deep down that I was destined for something greater.
When I graduated from Mulungushi University with a Credit in Law in the Class of 2023/2024, I didn’t celebrate that success. I felt I could have done more, achieved a Merit or even a Distinction and topped my class. A quiet voice inside kept telling me I was capable of much more. But I often settled for just clearing courses, even if it meant passing with a C or C+.
So, when the opportunity came to join ZIALE in 2024, I went in with a heart full of vengeance and a mission to redeem myself. I told myself I had to achieve something great, either pass on the first attempt or be the best student. I even made a dramatic pledge to myself:
if I didn’t pass on the first attempt, I wouldn’t return to ZIALE. That’s how serious I was.
Once I got to ZIALE, doubts crept in. I was surrounded by top students from every University around the country, some even Lecturers, Ministers, Company directors , so many brilliant minds you name it. So i questioned whether I could still meet my goal.
On my first day, I wanted to give up and fall back into the familiar habit of settling for less. But I reminded myself: David, it’s now or never. This is your one shot to prove you belong here.
From that moment on, I cut out every distraction, no social media, no WhatsApp, no Netflix, no unnecessary outings. If I wasn’t in a ZIALE lecture, I was in a tuition class. That was my entire life for almost a year. I must say during this period I lost a lot of friends, because no one really understands the Ziale journey and demands unless the people who have been down the same Journey before.
Mid year exams came. I passed 9 out of 11 heads. Although I didn’t clear all, my grades in the 9 I passed were excellent. That motivated me and showed me I had what it took. I went back to the drawing board, identified where I went wrong, and sought help. I consulted my tutor and friend, Jonathan VK Phiri, whose guidance proved invaluable. I took his advice to heart and committed to clearing all 11 heads in the final exams.
Final exams came, and I prayed earnestly. I needed to prove to myself that I wasn’t destined to be average. When the results came out, glory be to God, I had passed all 11 heads on my first attempt. I may not have been the best student, but I was more than proud. Out of over 600 students, only 31 made it and I was one of them. This time, I could finally say: David, you’ve truly outdone yourself my boy..
My advice:
Never settle for being average. I believe God has placed something great within each of us. Dig deep, believe, and do the work, your greatness is already inside you.
