Some traders in Lusaka district have complained of low business sales during this year’s festive season as compared to last year, attributing the trend to the drought and load shedding being experienced in the country.

In an interview with ZANIS In Febby Mutena, a chicken trader at Mtendere Market, observed that sales have been low when compared to the sales made last year during the same period.

Ms. Mutena said people have no money stating that the low sales will ultimately affect the provision of school requirements for children in January. 

“I don’t even know how I am going to find money for my children’s school fees next year because my business has been slow. The only option is to get some money from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF),” she said.

Ms. Mutena appealed to the government to sensitize people about the Constituency Development Fund, so that parents can access school uniforms and books for their children.

Meanwhile, another Trader Paul Njobvu said President Hakainde Hichilema’s initiative to pray for rain will help address challenges such as load-shedding, which is negatively impacting his business.

“For us tailors, who rely on electricity, business is difficult during the festive period, especially as we approach Christmas. I expected business to be better during this time,” he said.

Similarly, Rodgers Ikafa, a charcoal trader, said people have not been buying charcoal because they believe it is too expensive during the Christmas period.