By Daily Revelation Editor
Yesterday, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) announced a reduction in food basket prices for the month of November, 2023.
“The cost of living for a family of five, as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for the month of November in Lusaka stood at K9, 060.60. In comparison to the recorded of K9, 294.76 in October, 2023, this signifies a reduction of K234.16. Our research attributes this reduction in the basket to the reduced average prices of a number of items in our basket,” JCTR stated. “For instance, the average price of charcoal reduced from K461/90kg bag to K350/90kg bag and kapenta reduced from K297/10kg to K250/10kg. In addition, the average price of mealie meal reduced from K229/25kg to K220.71/25kg and bananas reduced from K18.93/kg to K15.03/kg. The research also revealed an increase in the average of prices of food items such as vegetables which recorded an increase in prices from K468.66/40kg to K535.37/40kg and others fruits (oranges) increased from K9.95/kg- to K14.45/kg.”
JCTR has brought out important observations. First, they have outlined the reduction as well as the increase in the cost of living – acknowledging that the cost of living still remains unacceptably high. We agree with JCTR observations on this core. If we are to critically analyse the reduction, we note only a few items have had prices reduced. Items such as mealie meal was reduced by a meagre K9, while charcoal was at K111. Bananas may not really be taken into account because to most Zambians, it’s not a necessity but a privilege to have bananas. Having said this, therefore, the reduction of K234.16 on the food basket has little bearing on the life of a common Zambian. We say this for very many reasons.
To begin with, although the JCTR survey is concentrated along the line of rail, particularly in Lusaka, the high cost of transport in Lusaka consumes this reduction. Majority of our people have now resorted to walking for work or businesses because of the high cost of fuel and/or transport in general. Secondly, kapenta, for instance, has become relish of the “ma bwanas” [the rich]. Very few Zambians can afford Kapenta in quantities that would even come closer to satisfying their appetites, as if it were not the other way round not too long ago, because previously, kapenta was for the poor. Situations seem to have been turned upside down, especially in the UPND political dispensation. Thirdly, had it not been for the involvement of the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to start producing mealie meal, the price of the commodity would be unbearable to still many millions. Even at the current price of K230, ZNS mealie meal is still high considering that this is Zambia’s most dependable food. Only people with huge incomes afford to buy 25kg bags of mealie meal. Majority of our people in Lusaka and beyond depend on “Tu Pamela”, and they have to continue on this hard road for many years to come. This is because there is no sign whatsoever of the economy improving, at least not in the short-term or medium-term. The major contributing factor to the high cost of living is the unpredictable fuel prices among many other misplaced economic fundamentals by the administration in power. They seem to have completely forsaken their election promises. We wonder whether or not they even knew what they were promising the Zambian people during elections. To us, like many Zambians who are complaining about the high cost of living day-in, day-out; year-in, year-out – the hope of coming out of this dark economic malaise is diminishing by the day. Apart from harassment by political cadres which seem to be one of the few promises the UPND government has delivered, the rest of the promises still remain a pipedream.
We commend JCTR for their monthly updates on the food basket in Lusaka, at least it shows a K200 positive on the food basket. The message to the administration is that a lot needs to be done on the cost of living as opposed to what seems to be selective itemisation of reduced/increased food products, if we are to provide a meaning to what really constitutes a food basket to a common Zambian. Otherwise, as we have stated, this reduction is impotent with no impact on improving the life of a common Zambian.
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By Daily Revelation Editor
Yesterday, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) announced a reduction in food basket prices for the month of November, 2023.
“The cost of living for a family of five, as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for the month of November in Lusaka stood at K9, 060.60. In comparison to the recorded of K9, 294.76 in October, 2023, this signifies a reduction of K234.16. Our research attributes this reduction in the basket to the reduced average prices of a number of items in our basket,” JCTR stated. “For instance, the average price of charcoal reduced from K461/90kg bag to K350/90kg bag and kapenta reduced from K297/10kg to K250/10kg. In addition, the average price of mealie meal reduced from K229/25kg to K220.71/25kg and bananas reduced from K18.93/kg to K15.03/kg. The research also revealed an increase in the average of prices of food items such as vegetables which recorded an increase in prices from K468.66/40kg to K535.37/40kg and others fruits (oranges) increased from K9.95/kg- to K14.45/kg.”
JCTR has brought out important observations. First, they have outlined the reduction as well as the increase in the cost of living – acknowledging that the cost of living still remains unacceptably high. We agree with JCTR observations on this core. If we are to critically analyse the reduction, we note only a few items have had prices reduced. Items such as mealie meal was reduced by a meagre K9, while charcoal was at K111. Bananas may not really be taken into account because to most Zambians, it’s not a necessity but a privilege to have bananas. Having said this, therefore, the reduction of K234.16 on the food basket has little bearing on the life of a common Zambian. We say this for very many reasons.
To begin with, although the JCTR survey is concentrated along the line of rail, particularly in Lusaka, the high cost of transport in Lusaka consumes this reduction. Majority of our people have now resorted to walking for work or businesses because of the high cost of fuel and/or transport in general. Secondly, kapenta, for instance, has become relish of the “ma bwanas” [the rich]. Very few Zambians can afford Kapenta in quantities that would even come closer to satisfying their appetites, as if it were not the other way round not too long ago, because previously, kapenta was for the poor. Situations seem to have been turned upside down, especially in the UPND political dispensation. Thirdly, had it not been for the involvement of the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to start producing mealie meal, the price of the commodity would be unbearable to still many millions. Even at the current price of K230, ZNS mealie meal is still high considering that this is Zambia’s most dependable food. Only people with huge incomes afford to buy 25kg bags of mealie meal. Majority of our people in Lusaka and beyond depend on “Tu Pamela”, and they have to continue on this hard road for many years to come. This is because there is no sign whatsoever of the economy improving, at least not in the short-term or medium-term. The major contributing factor to the high cost of living is the unpredictable fuel prices among many other misplaced economic fundamentals by the administration in power. They seem to have completely forsaken their election promises. We wonder whether or not they even knew what they were promising the Zambian people during elections. To us, like many Zambians who are complaining about the high cost of living day-in, day-out; year-in, year-out – the hope of coming out of this dark economic malaise is diminishing by the day. Apart from harassment by political cadres which seem to be one of the few promises the UPND government has delivered, the rest of the promises still remain a pipedream.
We commend JCTR for their monthly updates on the food basket in Lusaka, at least it shows a K200 positive on the food basket. The message to the administration is that a lot needs to be done on the cost of living as opposed to what seems to be selective itemisation of reduced/increased food products, if we are to provide a meaning to what really constitutes a food basket to a common Zambian. Otherwise, as we have stated, this reduction is impotent with no impact on improving the life of a common Zambian.
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