Reaching Your Peak with William Louey | Featuring Sanday Chongo Kabange

In the first episode of Reaching Your Peak with William Louey, William sits down with Sanday Chongo Kabange to explore the journey, lessons, and mindset that have shaped his life. Sanday reflects on his path from Zambia to Hong Kong, sharing why he would not change the course of his journey and emphasising the vital role of resilience in overcoming challenges and achieving personal goals.

The conversation delves into the influence of mentors, family, and community. William shares reflections on his grandmother’s resilience and its impact on his own life, while Sanday discusses how strength, perseverance, and adaptability can inspire others and shape one’s future. Drawing on over 14 years of experience in Hong Kong, higher education, and his dedication to community service through NGOs, charities, and corporates, Sanday highlights the importance of focus, adaptability, and independent problem-solving.

For those who may not come from privilege, Sanday offers practical advice: wealth or status should not be seen as barriers but as opportunities for growth. He also underscores the complementary value of education and life experience, describing them as a lock and key working together to unlock potential.

Sanday also delivers a one-minute message on reaching one’s peak: remain focused, stay resilient, and never give up—a powerful reminder that success is built through perseverance, adaptability, and a commitment to personal growth.

Full Episode Transcript:

William Louey: Hello, everyone. I'm William Louey. Welcome to my Reaching Your Peak episode. Today we have Sanday here. Sanday, would you introduce yourself, because I have problem pronouncing your surname? 

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Absolutely. Thank you very much for having me. So my name is Sanday Chongo Kabange. That is the typical Zambian name. So, yeah, I have been in Hong Kong for the last 14 years. Initially came into Hong Kong to study for school, but I do quite a lot of community service work, working with different NGOs and charities, supporting their different causes as a community volunteer. And I've done a lot of work in that area with different corporates, NGOs, charities, nonprofits across Hong Kong. So it's really helped me to understand the city pretty much more and to explore the city as well. I've been to different corners of Hong Kong where I think some of the locals have never been. Through my charity work, I've been able to understand the culture and to move around Hong Kong.

William Louey: Sanday, it's so nice to have you here today and to join my interview. I'm going to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Absolutely. Thank you for having me. It's really a great honour and opportunity to sit here with you and have a nice conversation.

William Louey: Sanday, what is your advice on someone trying to get advanced in life?

Sanday Chongo Kabange: I believe the best advice one can get is from within yourself, basically, never giving up, staying focused and keeping your goals and your dreams, aspirations, really trying to never give up, even the most challenging times. I think that would be the best advice I would give any person. Staying focused, determined and being resilient.

William Louey: Yes, totally agree.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Absolutely.

William Louey: I'm like that as well. Yeah. You know, everyone faces difficulties and challenges. You just have to be brave. People do make mistakes; we all make mistakes. But after you make the mistake, you try and fix it. You fix it by; you know how to fix it is by being strong and resilient. And then when you overcome the mistake, then you're a stronger person and then you move on to your next level.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Absolutely. Absolutely. We all learn from mistakes. We build from those where we come through hurdles, challenges, we try to fix them and then bounce back and keep on pushing.

William Louey: Exactly. Sanday, what are the key milestones in your journey? Where you are now, how you started and somewhere in the middle. Can you tell us your history?

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Oh, sure. Basically, I was brought up in a very small family and through my family, I think I picked up one thing is to always give back to society, to the community that you are. So I picked this from my parents. And it's something that has grown in me. Wherever I go, whatever I do, I always think about others within our community, others within society, and how we can, you know, live together and support them. In terms of milestone, I think one of the biggest milestones in my life was getting accepted into the University of Hong Kong and going to graduate in 2012 on my first master’s degree in journalism and media studies. So that was really a proud moment for me because I was the first in the family to graduate and also to study at a foreign university. So that I think gave me a bit of morale boost and also it made my family very proud. In terms of where I am now, I think I'm right almost at my peak. I've been involved in some of the things that I've always wanted to do. I've been followed, my passions, I've followed my dreams and I think I've tried to make it. I always wanted to be on radio. Luckily I did that. I went on radio before I worked in print, newspaper, before I had that chance of being on radio, speaking to people, speaking to the masses. And I worked for one of the biggest private radio stations back home in Zambia, which was very, very proud moment for me and it's been a really nice ride. And I think the breakthrough for me was when I graduated, really being the first in the family to graduate from a foreign university and to study abroad. And that I think has propelled and encouraged my siblings to do exactly the same.

William Louey: And what made you choose Hong Kong?

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Well, the program I wanted initially I had two options. My first option was to go to Tsinghua University in Beijing. And I got two offers actually at the same time. One was to go study in Beijing and also here in Hong Kong at the University of Hong Kong. The thing was that the program that I was admitted to at Tsinghua University required me to do one year Mandarin language training.

William Louey: Yeah.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: But the one in Hong Kong was directly English; was taught in English.

William Louey: I see.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: That's why I opted to come for the easier way. So I went to do my Masters in Journalism and Media. Within that program, they have a program, a stream that focused on science, environment and science and the health reporting. Another one was on business, economics and the financial reporting.

William Louey: Highly admirable. I mean, leaving your own country and go somewhere, it takes courage. It's like my family, you know, my great grandparents left China in the late 1800s and it took like four months to get to Australia at that time, you know, on a very slow boat the courage is admirable and you know, likewise. You know, I studied in UK and I left Hong Kong when I was 13. You know, you gain a lot when you, when you are you. You get experience outside.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Absolutely. Yeah. It means, like you said, it needs a bit of courage.

William Louey: Yeah.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: You know, leaving your family, leaving your setup that were where you've grown up in, you know, trying to establish yourself, like for myself in this case, you know, being alone with no family, no friends in Hong Kong, I didn't know anybody. And it was my first time to come to actually to Hong Kong and to Asia. So it was really a new place for me.

William Louey: Yeah.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: But also very rich in learning process because it helped me to be independent, to be resilient and also to really get into deep of things without really the support or back of family. So it helps me to lead myself on my own, to discover myself a little bit more and to take leadership in what I was, whatever I was doing.

William Louey: Wonderful, wonderful! 

William Louey: Sanday what are the three qualities you think for someone to get ahead?

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Thanks, William. I think my opinion would be one, staying focused, whatever you want to do. Also being able to adapt. Adaptability. Being able to adapt to situations. Yes. That would also take you then into being able to be a problem solver. Solving problems, you are on your own. You need to be able to be a critical thinker and also a problem solver. So solve your problem, solve your issue, whatever comes your way. Be able to think about an issue, solve it, address it, and take leadership on your own.

William Louey: Did you find it hard to adapt in a totally different city from Zambia, for example, Hong Kong, you know, which is different people, people with different culture, different mindsets. How do you adapt into our culture? I found it very hard personally because I was educated, you know, abroad since I was very young. When I came back to Hong Kong, it took me a while to adapt to the local culture. You know, my experience is I would try and adapt, but then I also have to make them accept who I am rather than losing my identity.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: I think I knew that I was going into a different environment, in a different region, in a different setup altogether from one that I know. So I had an open mind. Yeah. And I was very flexible in the sense. Yes. I stayed open minded, knowing that I'm going in a different situation. So my expectations were pretty standard. I didn't expect much, I didn't expect less, but so it went. Really helped me to adjust really fast. And then the other thing that has helped me a lot over the years is getting involved. I like to try out new things every time I put my shoes, my hands in different things. And that has helped me to adapt easily because like I mentioned before, I've been to different corners of Hong Kong through local charities. They take me to the beach. So I'm always with different people, different cultures. I go to visit old people's homes, senior citizens living, you know, working with people with special needs, new arrivals. So everybody has got something to say, they have a story to tell.

William Louey: I know you're very adaptable and you can deal with, you know, different situation. But how do you deal with the Hong Kong people who are not adaptable to someone who is from abroad? And then you're doing the NGO, you know, like, you know, nonprofit making in Hong Kong. And do you encounter problems?

Sanday Chongo Kabange: There have been instances, one or two. But those are minor issues that you'd be expecting anywhere. But I think the bottom line is that, like you mentioned being accepted also, other than just you being. Trying to force yourself or learning whatever you knew. Also have a stand where you are being accepted. You know, what do you offer that people accept you or make you part of the community, part of society? So I think that is one, one way that has helped me to adapt easily and also to get, really, get myself being accepted, really. I think you see how you carry yourself, being open minded, you know, working with the, you know, always expecting unexpected. Really. Yeah. There are instances where. Yeah. You might, people might not want to be closer to you or they do not want to open up to you. But it's, it's a nature of life really. It happens. It's normal. That is certain. Yeah. Yeah. It should actually be a stepping stone to make them even more determined.

William Louey: Yeah.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: To get what they want to go. You know, the little problems that we encounter shouldn't be the stumbling blocks to progressing. They should actually be the stepping stone where you step on and build on to the next level like that.

William Louey: Right. What has been your biggest challenge and how does the challenge makes you who you are today?

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Well, the challenge I would say would be probably failure. I don't believe in failure really. I like to push myself and anything. Anytime I feel like I'm failing, I push myself harder. And I think that is what has made me who I am today. I refuse to accept defeat and I always keep on pushing. I'm open to different. I believe that life has got no barriers. There are no boundaries to life, to your personal fulfilment, personal goals and achievements. So for me, really, you see, failure is not an option for me. I always push. I always strive to get what I want and when I want it. So if I feel like I'm failing, I try to.

William Louey: Find another way.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Find another way around it.

William Louey: Yeah.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Climb on it and push to whatever I want to attain.

William Louey: Yeah.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Really so wonderful.

William Louey: Wonderful in that respect. We're very similar.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Yes. Yeah. Yeah.

William Louey: I face difficulties every day and sometimes big, sometimes small. But you just have to face it, you know, you can't just. There's no need to worry about it.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Absolutely right.

William Louey: You have to find a solution and face it. When you can conquer this failure or a bad experience or. Some people call it a mistake, some people call it failure, but there's no such thing as failure because every situation, every. Every failures makes you a stronger person. Is a learning process.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Absolutely. Absolutely. And if I may ask you.

William Louey: Yeah.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: What would be your biggest challenge and what has. How has it that made you be who you are today?

William Louey: My biggest challenge has been. Well, in different stages of life, I have different challenges. So, you know, when I was younger, when I first came back to Hong Kong, the biggest challenge was I thought I knew everything, you know, because I was, I studied abroad, I have more experience than my peers, and I was a bit. Appeared to be a bit know it all. And people. People would reject the know it all. And then I learned to follow the flow.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Yes.

William Louey: Follow them. And it's kind of like a strategy that I still have a goal, but I use a different tactic and I make them feel that it's their idea. And that's how I got through my challenges in the beginning. I actually joined the board of directors of Kowloon Motor Bus when I was 30 years old. And all the other directors were in their 50s and 60s, even 80s. They have their own fixed ideas of how the company should be run. I have all these new ideas. I try to implement my new ideas, but then every single time, they would stop me. Because you are so young, you don't know anything. You know, you don't know Hong Kong. In a way, I thought I knew, but in fact I didn't know. So I started to learn because I thought. I came back to Hong Kong and I finished university when I was 21. And then I worked in the City of London in the banking world for seven years before I came back. I thought I knew everything. Right. But in fact, I had to step back and then. And that gave me the opportunity.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Yes.

William Louey: When I stepped back, it gave me the opportunity of starting my own scholarship. So I started my scholarship when I was in my early 30s. Right. You know, I did something else. I still went to the board meetings, but I still give ideas, but I don't mind if they don't accept it. But then I was training a young set of bright minds.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Interesting.

William Louey: You face challenges, but everybody deals with challenges differently. Depends on the challenge. Mine was, I was too different. But now I'm 66. I embrace being different. I don't want to conform. I just want to be truthful, to show people that exactly who I am. Either you accept me the way I am, or you don't like me, and then you don't have to see me again, but I'd rather be me and get the friend that accepts me the way I am. And then that's how you find lifelong friends.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Yeah. Agree? Yeah.

William Louey: If you have to go back, would you change how you, you know, would you choose a different journey?

Sanday Chongo Kabange: I don't think so. I think my journey has been really good, fairly okay. It's not the best, but I think I'm comfortable with my journey. I'll Change 1 or 2 goals, personal goals, maybe a bit of professional goals here and there. But I think generally my life has been particularly. And I think my journey has been the way I really aspired it to be, and I'm really happy where I am. I'll be fairly okay if I were to restart my journey through the same process once again. Yeah, yeah.

William Louey: Sunday how important is resilience?

Sanday Chongo Kabange: It's very important because it helps you to reach where you want to reach, go where you want to go and be who you want to be. I think if you give up so easily, then you are not destined to be anywhere. So you try to stay resilient, and that is going to help you determine your future and get you where you want to be or where you want to go.

William Louey: Exactly. So people know that you're resilient. So that they are resilient. So you influence them.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Yes. It's very important, really, to impart influence in others.

William Louey: Yes.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: If you can, you know, learn from others, help others, learn from your resilience, then it's very good. And I think it's a word that we. We need to, you know, aspire to be.

William Louey: Exactly.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Imparting the wisdom or resilience in others so that they can really change.

William Louey: Exactly.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Mindset.

William Louey: That's how, you know. My company is 103 years old this year. You know, it's through the years that I've got good mentorship from my grandparents. My father died very young, unfortunately, but my grandmother mentored me. She was so resilient. Two of her sons died. To see two of your sons die and you have to carry on. You see her strength, and by looking at her, it inspires me to be strong. Yeah, yeah.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Yes, agree.

William Louey: So I think we're kind of lucky that, you know, we have seen people who are resilient and you learn, you know, you know, the benefit of that, and then you try to do better.

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Yes.

William Louey: Sanday, what is your advice on someone who don't come from a place of privilege?

Sanday Chongo Kabange: My advice would be don't look at wealth or status as the stumbling block in your life, but use that as an opportunity for you to grow yourself. Really, my advice is that worth privilege, status, not an issue. If you really want to be where you want to be or attend what you want to attend. Yeah, they did. They do make things easier. They do make life easier. But really there shouldn't be the benchmark or things that should determine your aspiration or your future. There should be. You can look at them as stepping stones, really, not as benchmarks that you want to rely on, but basically as something that you can step on to build yourself and attain your aspirations and goals.

William Louey: What is more important, education or life experience?

Sanday Chongo Kabange: I think they are both important and they complement each other in the sense that education gives you a structured foundation and the life experience gives you the technical know how from the streets, like school of whatnot. It gives you the wisdom that you want to attend. So they complement each other. In my opinion, they are equally both important. They work hand in hand. It's like a lock and key, a door and a frame. So they work together in that sense.

William Louey: Education is not just reading books, it's building your network. Sanday, thank you very much for joining this episode and I'm going to give you a challenge. Can you look into this camera and give a one-minute advice on how to reach your peak?

Sanday Chongo Kabange: Remember to stay focused to attain your dreams. Remain resilient. If there's any trouble, go through it and keep on pushing. And of course, always, always, never, ever think of giving up. Keep on pushing and go.