Mona Lisa eyes UNZASU Vice Presidency

For Mona Lisa Phiri, a third-year Public Relations and Advertising student at the University of Zambia (UNZA), leadership is not a sudden ambition, but the continuation of a well-documented journey. Better known across campus circles as 'Moma Wa Data'—a moniker reflecting her status as a well-informed student figure—Phiri has officially entered the race for the University of Zambia Students Union (UNZASU) Vice Presidency. With elections slated for the Great East Road Campus, her candidacy has injected vibrant discourse into campus politics, drawing attention to student welfare, institutional accountability, and active representation. Phiri brings a robust background in campus advocacy, having previously served in publicity roles within student bodies like the University of Zambia Humanities and Social Sciences Association (UNZAHSSA). Describing herself as an experienced public speaker, former radio presenter, and event coordinator, she emphasizes that her decision to run stems from perceived leadership gaps and a genuine desire to serve. Rather than reacting to isolated campus friction, her platform is built on deliberate self-reflection and a readiness to bridge communication between the student populace and university administration. At the core of Phiri's manifesto are three persistent structural challenges that have long plagued UNZA students: inadequate Wi-Fi connectivity, constrained study spaces, and severe accommodation shortages. Addressing the perennial accommodation crisis, Phiri has pledged to push for the prompt commissioning of newly constructed hostels to ease room deficits ahead of upcoming academic terms. To combat the scarcity of conducive learning environments, she proposes practical, decentralized solutions, including the deployment of outdoor benches, portable study stands, and extended-access facilities across the campus. Furthermore, regarding campus internet access, she argues that because students financially contribute toward connectivity