“In high school, I strongly believed that the only way for me to make it in life was through education. I worked hard and prioritized school, almost like I worshipped it,” University of Zambia (UNZA), Gary Lubinda said.
The journey of Gary Lubinda, who recently graduated from UNZA under the School of Education, is one marked by trials, faith, heartbreak, and ultimately, victory. His story is one of pure resilience.
After completing high school, Gary, like many students, applied to several institutions, including the Zambia Air Services Training Institute (ZASTI) to study Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering, as well as the University of Zambia. Though he was accepted into ZASTI before TEVETA registration, he was forced to withdraw due to financial constraints.
Eventually, he secured a spot at UNZA and applied for a student loan.Gary had high hopes. He was confident he’d be awarded a bursary, especially after losing his father but those hopes were dashed.
“I was so sure I’d get a 100% student loan. The news of the rejection came while I was serving at church. I couldn’t even project the Bible verse the Bishop asked for. I was disturbed and deeply saddened,” he recalled.
Determined not to give up, Gary applied to join the Zambia Air Force (ZAF). He was invited for interviews at the Chamba Valley Headquarters, where he underwent aptitude tests and physical exercises. His hopes soared when he was asked to undergo medical checks, the final step in the process.
Excited, he began preparing for the next phase in Livingstone. Farewells were made, blessings were given, and prayers were said.Days turned into weeks, then months. No call came.
“I was the only one among my friends not picked. It felt like a door slammed shut in my face. I was in a closed room, with no window, no vent, no exit. It felt like a grave,” said Gary.
Desperate to make ends meet, Gary went job-hunting and eventually found work at a creative company as a designer and photographer. He poured himself into the job, determined to save money for school. But being away from school weighed heavily on him.
“My performance dropped. I was fired and told I was overqualified. I felt like a ghost living among real beings,” he said.
Turning his focus to agriculture, Gary used his savings to buy a small piece of land and began growing cabbages. He left the farm in the care of someone he trusted and returned to town to visit family. That trust was betrayed.
“The caretaker overdosed the crops with insecticide. All the cabbages died. I didn’t even cry. I was already used to things not working out,” he said.
Feeling broken and hopeless, Gary returned to church only to leave before the sermon ended.
“The Bishop was preaching about God’s blessings. I couldn’t bear it. I thought, ‘This man is a scam—just a motivational speaker making money off desperate people.’ I didn’t want anything to do with church anymore,” he added.
The depression deepened. Gary began contemplating suicide.
“All I had to my name was a Grade 12 certificate. I thought the only way out was death. I went to a shop to buy Doom (a pesticide), but I was K5 short. The lady refused to sell it to me, even when I begged,” he shared.
He planned to end his life that night after everyone had gone to bed. “I didn’t want to be a burden anymore,” he said. But something in him changed. Instead of following through, he took a long walk away from home.
While walking near Chainda, a minibus began calling for passengers. Gary was carrying some gadgets he had intended to use to start a small business. But the bus was occupied by criminals.
“I was badly beaten. They stole everything I had. They even forced me to send them the last bit of money I had left then threw me out at a graveyard. They spat on me and laughed as they drove off,” he said.
After all these painful experiences, Gary reapplied to UNZA, and this time, everything changed. He was readmitted and later granted a 100% Student loan.
On May 23, 2025, Gary graduated from the University of Zambia. His dreams were realized and his faith, once lost, was restored.
Remarkably, he did not spend a single kwacha on his graduation. Friends covered everything, the photoshoot was sponsored by Abel Nimol, the gown by Emmanuel Mubanga, and the shoes and suit by Aaron Mumba of The PlugVibe.
“I couldn’t believe what was happening. God provided through people. I’m truly grateful,” said Gary.
“Gary is a strong guy. I met him in first year and have witnessed his journey. I’m proud of him and can’t wait to see how far he goes.His extraordinary,he has unmatched consistency and the drive to succeed,” Mubanga said.