UNZASU president dedicates ‘Ballon d’Or’ to HH
AFTER receiving a symbolic Ballon d’Or last Monday in recognition of various developments recorded during his tenure, UNZASU president Mwanto Kabaso has dedicated the award to President Hakainde Hichilema.
Mr Kabaso said the Head of State ultimately deserves the Ballon d’Or because of the massive work he has delivered over the past five years.
“A big thank you to the monks and mommas from the University of Zambia for awarding this Ballon d’Or to me.
However, I also believe there is a man who is dedicated to and concerned about the welfare of the youths and students of our country, Zambia, and that man is President Hakainde Hichilema. For that reason, I would love to dedicate this Ballon d’Or to President Hakainde Hichilema,” he says.
Fondly called Bally, President Hichilema has, both in opposition and in Government, maintained a cordial relationship with students across the country.
His first major intervention for students under the UPND-led administration was restoring the meal allowances that had been scrapped by the previous administration.
Since then, the allowances have been increased regularly, with the latest adjustment announced last Saturday, raising the accommodation allowance from K3,900 to K5,850.
Government has also expanded Constituency Development Fund (CDF) skills bursaries introduced in 2021, driving cumulative enrolment to more than 96,000 learners in registered TEVET institutions and centres to ensure that no student is left behind.
Between 2021 and 2024, more than 30,000 new student beneficiaries were added under the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB).
“The School Feeding Programme and the Free Education Policy, now enshrined in law, have also greatly added value to the learning experience for students,” he said.
These are among the achievements that prompted Mr Kabaso to dedicate the symbolic award to President Hichilema.