New School, New Hope

Building a brighter future for children in Chilanga’s growing communities.

By Francis Maingaila

Chilanga, Zambia — August 12, 2025 —

The Wonderful Group of Companies, in partnership with the Zambia National Service (ZNS), today broke ground for the construction of the Safari Secondary School in Chilanga. 

This landmark project marks a major step toward expanding access to quality, free education for the children of ZNS personnel as well as those from the rapidly growing surrounding community, promising to transform educational opportunities in the area.

The event, attended by senior government officials, community members, and numerous schoolchildren, marked a significant milestone in Zambia’s ongoing effort to expand access to quality education.

Defense Minister Ambrose Lufuma, who officiated the ceremony, applauded the Wonderful Group for its unwavering commitment to corporate social responsibility and community development.

He said the company’s impressive portfolio of projects across Zambia clearly demonstrates why they are aptly named the “Wonderful Group,” given the positive impact they have made in various sectors.

“I had always wondered why the company chose such a name, but today I understand: it reflects the wonderful work they are doing in and around Zambia, supporting national progress and community growth,” Minister Lufuma stated.

He went on to express deep appreciation for the poem recited by the young pupils present at the event, praising their confidence and ability to perform flawlessly in front of a large audience.

The minister emphasized that the groundbreaking ceremony represents more than the laying of bricks; it symbolizes the creation of life-changing opportunities and the establishment of a foundation for a brighter future for today’s children and generations to come.

Minister Lufuma expressed profound gratitude to the Wonderful Group for partnering with the Zambia National Service in this noble endeavor, highlighting the company’s role not only as a responsible corporate citizen but also as a true partner in national development.

He reiterated the government’s strong focus on education under President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership, noting that education remains a top priority on the national agenda.

"The government has made landmark strides, including the provision of free education from early childhood through secondary school, recruitment of thousands of new teachers, and the construction of numerous school facilities nationwide," he explained.

Despite these efforts, Minister Lufuma acknowledged that the demand for quality education infrastructure remains vast and that partnerships with private sector entities like the Wonderful Group are critical in addressing this need.

“The support of cooperating partners, private sector players, and well-meaning individuals is essential in complementing government efforts,” he said.

“The Wonderful Group has done exactly that, and I commend them for ensuring all children of school-going age can access education.”

Highlighting the role of the Zambia National Service, Minister Lufuma noted that national development hinges not only on military security but also intellectual empowerment.

He affirmed the defense sector’s commitment to complement the Ministry of Education by leveraging the discipline, structure, and leadership embedded within defense institutions to deliver quality education.

He praised the Zambia National Service for its progressive integration of education in its operations, citing previous contributions such as building housing units, running primary and secondary schools, and conducting skills training and national service programs.

"These efforts align closely with the national agenda for inclusive education that benefits both military families and the wider community," he said.

“Education is a bridge between today’s dreams and tomorrow’s achievements,” Minister Lufuma said, pointing to the exemplary performance of the pupils who presented at the event.

While government continues to create an enabling policy environment for education, the minister underscored that partnerships like this accelerate the pace of implementation and national progress.

He called on other corporate partners to emulate the Wonderful Group’s example, noting that investments in education may not bear fruit immediately but will yield lasting benefits for generations to come.

As the ceremony concluded, Minister Lufuma expressed enthusiasm for the completion of the project, envisioning a return visit in six months to officially open the school.

“I can hardly wait to cut the ribbon and see children start learning in this beautiful new facility,” he said.

The new Zambia National Service secondary school will provide much-needed education infrastructure that supports both military personnel’s families and the surrounding community, underscoring the power of collaboration between public institutions, private sector, and citizens in advancing Zambia’s national development goals.

The Wonderful Group of Companies, through its acting Chief Executive Officer Roy Mwamba, noted the importance of education as the “cornerstone of progress” and pledged that the school and housing facilities would be completed in record time.

“This is more than a construction site. It is a beacon of hope and opportunity for our children,” Mwamba said.

He further explained that the initiative is a response by United Capital Fertilizer, a subsidiary of the Wonderful Group, to support community development alongside its business operations.

"The company has a strong track record of community projects in Chilanga, including electrification of Malcolm area, construction of transmission lines, water infrastructure development, a police post, donation of vehicles for police operations, and a 20-bed hospital now operated by the Ministry of Health," he explained.

Mwamba also highlighted ongoing talks to build a counseling and psychosocial support center, expanding the company’s footprint in social development.

This new school project coincides with the group’s upcoming 15th anniversary in Zambia next April, a milestone Mwamba said reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the country.

In addition to community work, Mwamba detailed the company’s significant economic contributions, particularly through its newly commissioned urea and ammonia plant.

The plant, which started operations earlier this year, has reduced Zambia’s reliance on imported fertilizer and strengthened foreign exchange reserves.

Approximately 100,000 metric tons of fertilizer have been exported to Tanzania, supporting regional trade.

He stated that the Wonderful Group currently employs about 7,000 people, with plans to expand this figure as production scales up, estimating that around 27,000 jobs will be created when accounting for downstream economic impact.

The Zambia National Service donated the land for the school, a partnership Mwamba praised as a cost-saving and strategic collaboration.

He also acknowledged the support of local authorities and the national government for providing an enabling environment for business and development.

Mwamba revealed plans to transform Chilanga into an industrial hub with a 5 billion dollar industrial park over the next five years, further boosting employment and economic growth.

The project, valued at 35 million kwacha, is part of the company’s ongoing corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at uplifting local communities.

The Wonderful Group’s commitment to education and community empowerment marks a significant step toward sustainable development in Chilanga and beyond.

ZNS Commander Maliti Solochi emphasizing that the project represents more than just building infrastructure—it lays the foundation for fulfilling dreams and securing a prosperous future.

“This school will not only serve our personnel’s children but also those from nearby communities,” said Solochi.

“It is a great boost to our institution’s commitment to national development and reflects the government’s policy that places education at the center of national transformation.”

Solochi highlighted the consistent emphasis by the Republican President and Commander-in-Chief on education as the greatest equalizer.

He praised the government’s efforts in providing universal education and underscored the ZNS’s role in supporting this national agenda.

Recently, ZNS utilized internally generated funds to construct a classroom block in Mkushi, demonstrating their commitment to educational infrastructure beyond personnel welfare.

The Safari Secondary School project is funded with over 35 million kwacha, courtesy of the Wonderful Group of Companies, whose CEO and representatives were present at the ceremony.

“We commend the Wonderful Group of Companies for their generous investment,” Solochi said.

“They have shown they are not just here to make profits but to give back to the community and invest in Zambia’s continued progress.”

In addition to the current project, the group has agreed to build additional classroom blocks to further enhance educational infrastructure.

The Commander called on all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to providing quality education to every child in and around the unit, ensuring equal chances of success.

Chilanga Member of Parliament, Sipho Hlazo, announced that the initiative started after a conversation with Mr. Wang, chairman of the Wonderful Group, who pledged to build the school once land was secured.

With support from the Zambia National Service, land on ZNS Island was allocated for the school. 

The District Education Board Secretary quickly prepared standard government plans, which were submitted to United Capital Fertilizer, a key partner in the project.

“This project shows the impact of public-private partnerships and corporate social responsibility in education development,” Hlazo said.

He noted that this is the sixth major educational project in Chilanga over the past four years, following collaborations with organizations such as Yash Pharmaceuticals, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the World Bank.

Additional ongoing education projects in the constituency include classroom construction, desk deliveries, electrification, and solar power installations.

Hlazo urged other companies to follow the example set by United Capital Fertilizer and the Wonderful Group, which have created jobs and supported community welfare.

The new school is expected to be completed within 18 months and will provide modern facilities for hundreds of students.

The Chilanga District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Lenny Longwe hailed the groundbreaking of a full-fledged secondary school in one of the district’s fastest-growing communities as a milestone that will ease pressure on the area’s overstretched education infrastructure.

Speaking at the ceremony on Tuesday afternoon, DEBS said the project, funded by the Wonderful Group of Companies, will provide a conducive teaching and learning environment for thousands of learners in the district.

“This is what it means to be part of the solution in the local environment,” DEBS said, adding that the gesture demonstrated “real, sustainable development” and the value of partnerships between government and the private sector.

She noted that since the introduction of the free education policy, aimed at providing accessible and equitable education, Chilanga has experienced a surge in demand for school places.

According to district statistics, in 2023 school places increased by 4,000, in 2024 by 5,000, and in 2025 by 7,000.

The district currently has 49 public schools, 29 community schools, and more than 150 private schools.

“From these figures, you can see that we have relatively few public schools, and the increased demand has put pressure on existing infrastructure,” DEBS said.

“The completion of this project will support the government’s vision of ensuring every school-age child has access to the same high standard of education, regardless of where they live.”

She added that the project aligns with ongoing reforms in the education sector, including the rollout of a new curriculum that separates primary from secondary education.

“This is the kind of leadership we envision—leaders who identify themselves with developmental projects such as this one,” she said, thanking the Wonderful Group of Companies for their support.

Construction of the secondary school is expected to address overcrowding in existing facilities and expand opportunities for learners in the area.

Speaking earlier, ZNS Safari Camp Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Cunelly Mudenda described the project as “a significant milestone in our community’s history” and a key investment in nurturing future leaders.

The event was attended by top dignitaries, including Wonderful Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer Wang Yachi, United Capital Fertilizers Board Chairperson, Chilanga District Commissioner Maureen Flander, District Education Board Secretary Lena Rongu, and the area Member of Parliament.

Lt. Col. Mudenda expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved, noting that their support demonstrates a “shared commitment to education and community development.”

He said the planned ZNS Safari Secondary School will serve as a hub for learning, innovation, and empowerment, enabling young people in the area to reach their full potential.

The school’s construction is expected to benefit hundreds of learners in Chilanga District, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.