No matter how tough the fight, don’t give up – Failure is never an option

By SENIYA BANDA

It is the size of one‘s will that determines success as it takes determination to see a dream come to pass therefore I believe am a possibility law PR actioner… Ms. Duu Luyando Hangwemu

It seemed impossible to pass the Bar Exams, especially on the first attempt after all the myths I heard about ZIALE. I went to ZIALE with a fighting spirit and put aside all the stories and conspiracy theories about ZIALE and studied and prayed day and night.

I told myself that, if one person passes on the first attempt, I would be that person. It was not easy, I was bruised!! At some point, I almost gave up!! But I kept going because it was not just about me, I had to do it for my parents, my family, my friends, and everyone else who believed in me.

Ms. Duu Luyando Hangwemu is one of the youngest law practioners in Zambia and social media influencer, who was recently awarded with Best Graduating Student in General Principles of Contract Drafting during her Master’s program at the University of Zambia.

Ms Hangwemu is currently working under KBF AND PARTNERS as an associate, specializing in Litigation and General legal consultation among others.

Ms. Hangwemu got called to the Bar in December 2017 after passing the Bar Exams on the first attempt.

She did her Junior Secondary at St. Josephs Secondary School in 2006

And completed high school at the age of 15 at Hillcrest National Technical High School in 2009. 

QUESTION: How was your life growing up?

ANSWER: I grew up in an average home, in the rural parts of the country specifically Choma. Coming from a place like Choma, seemed impossible to achieve my dream of becoming a lawyer one day but with encouragement from my parents I managed to do so.

I always told myself, that every person is endowed with God-given ability and we must cultivate every ounce of a talent we have in order to maintain our pinnacle position in the world.

Q: WHY DID YOU BECOME A LAWYER?

A: Growing I was passionate about speaking out for people. I don’t like justice!! Therefore in order for me to be given a platform to speak for others, I  decided to pursue law. Which has worked wonders.

Q: WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE AS A FEMALE LAWYER?

A:  You really need to fight for yourself to find a place in the law profession, it is not easy therefore you need to prove to yourself as a female that you are able to deliver. Another challenge of being a female lawyer is that although most women take up law, it is still male-dominated,  there are situations where clients prefer to be handled by males rather than females, which can be intimidating at times but with determination, we have to convince the clients by ensuring that we deliver according to their expectation.

Q: HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR TIME?

A: The law profession is one of the most demanding careers which can take a toll on you as an individual. It is very difficult to find work balance as you are demanded to even work beyond 21:00 hours. Especially for a female lawyer who may be married, it is challenging to balance family and work.

Q: ANY CHALLENGES YOU FACE AS  A YOUNG LAWYER?

Finding a clientele as a young lawyer is very difficult as most clients will not take you seriously but with experience in the law, the profession has managed to pull through.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?

Apart from establishing a law firm, I am a business-minded person therefore I want to venture into farming. I want to become of the biggest commercial farmers.

Q: What is your encouragement for people that want to enter the law profession?

A:  I just want to encourage similarly circumstanced people not to give up. It may seem difficult at first, you may be discouraged, but just keep fighting. Have a purpose, and a goal in mind, and work tirelessly towards that goal. It doesn’t necessarily have to be academic, it may be in your business, your job, etc. Keep fighting. There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel and when you look back one day, it will be all worth it.

Q: ANY SUPPORT FROM FELLOW WOMEN IN YOUR PROFESSION?

A: It’s all about the people you choose to surround yourself with.

There is no need to fight EVERY giant in your path instead, you could stand on the shoulders of your giants and as “iron sharpens iron”, you can become even greater than your role models in your own being.

This is because you will eventually become a combination of the qualities you admire in EACH of them… Only with a touch of your own personality.

At this, you would have more than found yourself… You would have created yourself into an early masterpiece with lots of room to grow in line with a solid purpose, therefore I believe women should support each other no matter the situation, the is no need to pull each other down.

Q: WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING THOSE DAYS YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP?

I believe that you don’t practice how to win because the game changes and challenges get stronger…and looking at the odds of winning or losing will sometimes if not often, dishearten your attempts at life. 

Instead, practice how to fight! Be the tough time that your challengers do not want the look to forward to!

Practice how to stay in the game longer and TAKE pleasure in the fight!

You may not immediately master the art of winning… But you will surely master the art… of NOT losing… No matter what you’re up against therefore need to push no matter the situation.

Q: WHO DO YOU LOOK  UP TO IN THE LAW PROFESSION?

A: Ireen Mambilima was my inspiration, the way she handled issues and just her integrity as a law practitioner inspired me, also look up to other women in the law firm that have done well for themselves in the law fraternity.

Q: If you were to write a note to young DUU, what would you tell her?

A: Some people have asked me if I’ve failed before.

I’m here to tell you that I have failed before, but that did not make me give up. I fought day and night…my failure did not stop me from rising from the ashes. 

Many people thought my wings were broken during that time, but they did not know that I’m a fighter. I’m a survivor! I’m tough tested! I’m God’s Child! I was born to win!

This article is supported with the WAN IFRA Women In News (WIN) Social Impact Reporting Initiative (SIRI). Information in this article does not reflect the views of WAN IFRA Women In News