First National Bank (FNB) Zambia has called for stronger mentorship, accountability and intentional leadership among men, to ensure that professional success matches with personal growth.
Speaking at the Posterity Ascend Men’s Summit 2026 in Lusaka, FNB Zambia Corporate and Investment Banking Executive, Luyangwa Mufungulwa said men often spend their lives building careers, businesses, families, wealth and reputations, but do not pay enough attention to who they are becoming in the process.
Mr. Mufungulwa stated that it was possible for a man to achieve professional success while struggling personally. “It is possible to build something impressive while the builder himself is struggling. It is possible to be successful professionally and absent personally. It is possible to be the person everyone comes to for answers while privately having questions you don’t know who to ask,” Mr. Mufungulwa said.
He noted that society places significant expectations on men to lead, provide, protect and remain strong, but there was a need to also create spaces where men could seek guidance and support.
Mr. Mufungulwa challenged men to consider who strengthens the man who is expected to strengthen everyone else. “Before iron can sharpen iron, the iron itself must be strong,” he stated.
He said FNB Zambia values its partnership with Posterity because of the organization’s work in mentoring boys and shaping the next generation of men.
Mr. Mufungulwa, however, emphasized that mentorship should also extend to adult men, arguing that stronger boys require stronger men to guide them.
He urged men not to equate leadership with titles or success with income, saying true strength includes the ability to acknowledge when help and guidance are needed.
Drawing from FNB’s philosophy of shared prosperity, Mr. Mufungulwa said success should create opportunities for others and contribute to communities and the wider economy. “Prosperity that ends with you is incomplete,” he stressed.
He further encouraged men to continue building their careers, businesses and families while deliberately becoming better leaders, mentors and members of their communities.
At the same event, FirstRand Broader Africa Chief Executive Officer and former FNB Zambia CEO Bydon Longwe, urged professionals to seek sponsors within their organizations to support career advancement, while relying on mentors outside the corporate environment for personal growth and guidance.
Mr. Longwe said corporate sponsors can use their influence, credibility and networks to create career opportunities and advocate for employees during succession planning and promotion discussions.
He stated that mentorship should provide a safe space for individuals to discuss personal challenges that may affect their professional lives, while sponsorship should focus on opening doors within the workplace.
“In your work environment, look for a sponsor or a coach who is a senior leader who uses their influence, credibility, and network to advocate for advancement and create career opportunities for you,” he said.
Mr. Longwe stressed that sponsors do not guarantee promotions but can help employees gain visibility, opportunities and access to decision-making spaces.
The Ascend Men’s Summit 2026 is positioned as an executive-level formation experience for men, focused not only on achievement, but also on the character, leadership capacity, purpose and personal development required to sustain what they build.
The Summit is anchored on the theme “Activate Vision and two central questions: “What are you building?” and “Who are you becoming as you build?”
The Summit forms part of FNB Zambia’s annual brand sponsorship programme with Posterity Solutions and complements Posterity’s ongoing mentorship work with young boys.
