Petronella is an experienced and accomplished legal professional with a robust background in legislative drafting, corporate law, local governance, and public administration. As Deputy General Counsel at Project Yananai Zambia, she brings over a decade of expertise in providing strategic legal counsel, ensuring compliance, and strengthening governance systems for organizations committed to social transformation.

Petronella currently serves as Manager Legal and Company Secretary at Kafubu Water and Sanitation Company, where she provides oversight in legal advisory, litigation, corporate governance, and contract management. She leads on legal due diligence, policy discussions, contract negotiations, board secretarial services, and risk management, ensuring that all agreements and operations align with company strategy and regulatory requirements. Her work facilitates effective communication between management and the board, and she plays a pivotal role in the development and implementation of strategic objectives.

Previously, as Director of Legal Services at the Ministry of Local Government (Livingstone City Council), Petronella led a legal team responsible for land administration, litigation, corporate restructuring, and policy drafting. She provided legal opinions and strong support to district councils, managed complex litigation, and advised on employment, property, and commercial matters. Her leadership included managing 16 staff, driving gender mainstreaming in land administration, and fostering partnerships with state and traditional authorities.

Petronella’s early career as Senior Legal Assistant at Chingola Municipal Council saw her advising management, preparing legal documentation, supporting land processing initiatives, and providing technical assistance in policy implementation. She also serves as Pro-bono Counsel for the Legal Aid Board, representing economically disadvantaged clients in court, drafting legal documents, and advocating for justice and access to legal services for all.

Her academic credentials include a Master’s in Human Rights from the University of Lusaka, a Postgraduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting, a Bachelor of Law from Zambian Open University, and further postgraduate legal studies. She has completed advanced training in human rights litigation, international humanitarian law, arbitration, project management, and gender-based violence information management with leading institutions across Africa and Europe.

Petronella is a fluent communicator in English, Bemba, Kaonde, and Nyanja, and is skilled in MS Office, SPSS, and digital collaboration platforms. She is the published author of “A Human Rights Perspective on Abolition of Death Penalty: The Case of Zambia.”

At Project Yananai, Petronella supports the General Counsel in delivering high-quality legal services, policy analysis, and risk mitigation. Her commitment to justice, gender equity, and organizational excellence makes her an invaluable asset in advancing the mission of Project Yananai Zambia.