Street vendors in Lusaka say they are finding it hard to sell their merchandise because most Zambians have little money to afford purchases.
During a series of interviews this week around Lusaka, many vendors reported a sharp decline in sales of basic household goods, clothing, and foodstuffs.
One vendor, Joseph Kalimukwa, complained that even though President Michael Sata has allowed informal marketers to continue selling wares, there was little business to be found in the streets.
He said the excitement that engulfed street vendors after Sata allowed them to trade on the streets had faded because there were no buyers for their merchandise.
“People are complaining here on the streets. There is no business. Customers are not buying things. Even vegetable sellers are finding it hard to make a reasonable sale on each day. This is a clear sign that there are hardships among the people because the ability to buy is not there,” he said.
Violet Mwape, a 30-year old mother of two who trades in fresh groundnuts, had no kind words for President Sata. She said the move to allow vendors back on the streets was a trick by the President to buy the support of the local people, but it had failed to work.
Mwape said street vending was better during the MMD administration, even though back then they were not allowed to trade openly on the streets.
“It was better to trade on the streets during MMD because we could sell our goods and make more money than now when we have the freedom to sell freely and still make no money at all. There were state and council police officers everywhere but we managed to make some sales and go back home happy, but now we have the freedom without profits,” she said.
Mwape who was found along Cairo Road with three buckets of groundnuts said there were more hard days to come for Zambians, adding that poverty and hunger would torment the people.
She said many street vendors had realized that the MMD was a better government because money was circulating among the people and that the prices of essential commodities were relatively more affordable.
“I personally regret that day when I celebrated the victory of the PF. I regret that time wasted because I could have used it to do something valuable for my small business. The 2011 PF victory has not added any value to our lives and it hurts to recount the current suffering. It is only God who will come and save us from the PF,” she said.
Another vendor, Barnabas Mwachilenga, who peddles second hand clothes along Freedom Way said his sales have drastically reduced because people had money to afford the garments anymore.
He said his customers were more focused on spending on basic essentials such as food and transport.
“Sales have been very slow, especially from the beginning of this year. People are not spending and they are saying they have no money. I used to have customers who would buy my second hand clothes on credit, but they have also stopped because they do not want to be in so much debt,” he said.
In 2013, the PF government abolished subsidies on maize and fuel, claiming that the facilities were benefiting the rich and not the poor.
This move caused the prices of food and all basic commodities to increase. In 2014, the price of fuel was increased because of the weakening local currency. The development has seen an escalation in the prices of commodities but incomes of workers has remained static.
According to local economists, the escalation of commodities and services and stability in people’s emoluments had forced the majority of Zambians not to be able to afford many essential needs.
Up to 90% of Zambian citizens are employed in the informal economy, including street vendors, which has suffered significantly under the recent loss of value in the Kwacha.
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