Just as Kenneth Kaunda's Zambia became a refuge for southern Africa's liberation movements, a new generation of opposition leaders hope that president-elect Hakainde Hichilema's victory could strengthen opposition politics in the region.
"Suddenly, we feel, for the purposes of opposition, we have an ally in Zambia," said Mmusi Maimane, leader of One South Africa.
"Not only is this a story of courage, this is his sixth time in trying, but he's a genuinely good guy and often in politics, there's sometimes an underlying theme that the good guys don't always win," said Maimane.