07/09/2026
We continue with our Circle Stories✨
My Circle Story
Julie Mwamba Mweemba
Past President, Ladies Circle Zambia (2001 – 2002)
Past President, Tangent Club Zambia (2018 – 2020)
My Circle story began in 1991 at a Round Table Family Braai where I got invited to attend my first Circle meeting.
Shortly after being Inducted in Ladies Circle #1, I was elected as fellowship convenor. Years down the line, the number of members grew and as a result the Circle was split into two circles and formed Circle #2, where I became club chairperson much later.
During my Circling years I travelled to a number of international AGMs and my first one being in Manchester, these travels in circle really made my days extremely enjoyable and taught me a lot.
After one of my travels to an international AGM, I witnessed Croatia Ladies Circle being chattered as an international member and at that time Zambia was just an associate member, meaning that for a country to become a full member at international level, 66 members were required to apply for full membership . Back from that trip I shared the idea with other progressive circlers and a decision to form another circle was born.
Past president Emmy Jere and I went into Lusaka club and engaged wives of footballers then. We managed to get a group of vibrant girls who were circle material to form a new circle, and this was how Circle #4 came into formation under the supervision of Emmy Jere who was my Mentor, my good self and Margaret mutamira. This group of novices became the charter members of the newly chartered circle #4 under my chairmanship and Margaret Mutamira as the vice chairperson. These charter members include the likes of Dr. Mazyanga Mazaba Liwewe, Juliet Sakala and Naomi Sakanjole just to mention a few. After the birth of circle #4 Ladies Circle Zambia applied for full membership and it was granted.
The feeling of growing numbers in circle became unstoppable for me and some other progressive members, Mrs. Jere and I looked at forming another Circle to increase the numbers and we turned to Ndola town. One beautiful day the two of us got on a bus and travelled there, with the help of some Tablers, the first meeting was scheduled to be held at Nancy Malukutila’s house. The second meeting was held at Janet Chileshe’s house, and our third trip saw us having the meeting in Mulenga Chattas house, and after this the formation and charter of circle #5 was handed over to Circle #3. Personally, Increase in membership in this organisation brought about a certain joy that was next to nothing, It was pure bliss.
There was no going back, in Lusaka, Circle #4 in its maturity increased its membership to almost 30. And that was at its highest peak. Under my auspicious, the circle released a number of Circlers to form Circle #7 under the chairmanship of the now Tangent club national president Chisanga Chituta as I served as her constitution advisor.
My favorite memory in circle is when I was Inaugurated as Ladies Circle Zambia president.
The circle project that had a great impact on me was the Prevention and Care of Malnutrition spearheaded by circle #4 members namely Emmy Jere, Julie Mweemba, Margaret Mtamira under the leadership of a very young scientist and newly Inducted Mazyanga Mazaba Liwewe and a consultant by the name of Dr. Kasolo. This Project proposal won us the International project funding and this necessitated the refurbishment of the ward as well as furnishing of beds, side tables, stocking up of linen and simple equipment ranging from resuscitating machines ambu-bags to thermometers.
The lesson that has stayed with me from my circle days is that of Love and respect for the vulnerables, my fellow members and other people in general. From this lesson I have learned to give or share the little that I have with those that have very little or none at all. This lesson has also taught me Love and respect others around me. I have learned that each person is unique in their own way and they should be accepted as they are. I have found that this lesson has made me make lasting friendships within five clubs one visions as well as in life generally. I have through the same lessons learned to mix with other people in society effortlessly.
Tangent means that I now should be able to share what I experienced in circle back to those young girls who are coming up. Tangent has reminded me that I am a sister’s keeper who should be looked up to and that my character should be inspiring. As a Tangent member I am reminded that I have reached the peak of my service life and I should continue giving out to the vulnarables in life as well as enjoy continued friendship as much as I can until I am not able.
To todays Circlers I would advise them to firstly be themselves as they are being kind and sensitive to their fellow members because that is the only way one will make a remarkable server of the vulnarables, secondly co-existing with other Circlers will enhance members to become team players. I always believe that only when you are a team player will you enjoy serving the under privileged. As a Circler one should preserve their self-dignity in order to earn respect among other members.
Joining Ladies Circle as a young lady is the best thing I’ve done. I believe it has made me who I am today, A seasoned Wife, A great Mother to many and a Loving Grand Mother.
