21/08/2026
CALLED AT LAST: WHAT ZIALE TAUGHT ME ABOUT PERSEVERANCE
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For many aspiring legal practitioners, the journey to the Zambian Bar is a defining chapter, one that demands discipline, resilience, sacrifice and, above all, perseverance.
This is a story of Mr. Jonathan Mukula, an Advocate of the High Court of Zambia (AHCZ), whose journey through the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) became a four-year lesson in the value of staying the course.
“In 2021/2022, I enrolled at ZIALE into the Legal Practitioners Qualifying Examination (LPQE) Course with one goal in mind: admission to the Zambian Bar. I expected it to take a year. However, it took me four years to complete the course,” he recalls.
Jonathan began his ZIALE journey on a strong note, successfully clearing eight of the eleven Heads at his first attempt. However, changes in his professional responsibilities presented a new challenge. His workload increased, deadlines multiplied, and the time available for studying became increasingly limited.
“My responsibilities increased, and with them came mounting pressure that made the remaining three Heads far harder to clear than the first eight had been. Deadlines multiplied, my time shrank, and the balancing act between work and books became relentless,” he explains.
Jonathan committed himself to attending LPQE Online Repeaters’ Revision classes and carefully followed the guidance provided by his lecturers. With every sitting came another opportunity to learn, improve and move forward. Slowly but steadily, he cleared the remaining Heads, one at a time.
To him, every unsuccessful attempt became an opportunity for reflection rather than a reason to retreat.
“After every attempt that didn’t go my way, I didn’t retreat. I studied what had tripped me up and rebuilt my approach,” he says.
Through the challenges, Jonathan developed a deeper appreciation of the purpose behind the ZIALE curriculum. He came to understand that the programme is not simply about passing examinations, but about developing competent and confident legal practitioners.
“The LPQE Course isn’t designed merely to test knowledge, it’s designed to produce a fully prepared practitioner. Every failure showed me exactly where I was lacking. Every pass let me feel, unmistakably, that I was truly ready to practise in that area of law.”
For Jonathan, there were no shortcuts. Instead, each challenge strengthened his competence and prepared him for the responsibilities that come with legal practice.
After four attempts, he cleared all eleven Heads. What initially felt like a delayed journey had ultimately become a journey of preparation.
“By the time I cleared the last of the three remaining Heads, it had taken four attempts in total to clear all eleven, but I wasn’t just eligible for the Bar, I was ready for it.” He confidently explains.
A Message to Those Still on the Journey:
His message is simple: Stay focused, make the necessary adjustments and keep showing up.
He encourages candidates who may be struggling to understand that every ZIALE journey is unique. Work commitments, family responsibilities, personal circumstances and individual learning styles can all influence the pace at which a candidate progresses.
“ZIALE is a deeply personal journey, and no two paths through it look the same. Take an honest look at your situation, work demands, your family life, your energy levels, and learn to adapt and blend your studies into the rhythm of your life rather than fighting against it. Some seasons will demand more sacrifice than others, and that's okay.” He emphasises.
Four years may have been longer than Jonathan expected, but his experience taught him that the length of the journey does not diminish the significance of the destination.
“The timeline doesn’t matter nearly as much as the outcome. Whether it takes you one year or four, the call to the Bar means exactly the same thing when your name is finally read out, ” (Jonathan).
"To every ZIALE student still working towards that goal: trust the process, trust yourself and keep going. Take it one Head at a time. Your journey may be taking longer than you expected, but you may be closer than you think," he encourages.
From eight Heads cleared at first attempt to all eleven conquered over four years, Jonathan Mukula’s story is one of determination, growth, hard work and perseverance.
His story is also a powerful reminder that setbacks do not have to define the outcome. Sometimes, perseverance means taking a different approach, seeking guidance, learning from failure and having the courage to try again.
Called at last. Prepared for practice. A journey worth the wait.
