Weak kwacha squeezing families – consumer body
By Thandizo Banda
THE Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has warned that the continued weakening of the kwacha’s purchasing power is pushing ordinary Zambians into deeper hardship.
In an interview with The Mast, ZACA executive secretary Juba Sakala said the behaviour of the kwacha against major convertible foreign currencies was pushing prices of goods and services up.
“While K1,000 may look like a lot on paper, in real terms it barely covers basic needs such as food, transport, electricity and water. The challenge is not how much money people have in their hands, but what that money can actually buy,” Sakala said.
He said low-income families were the hardest hit, with many forced to buy less, compromise on quality, cut meals or postpone essential needs.
“A weak kwacha means dignity is being eroded at household level. Economic progress must be measured not just by macroeconomic indicators, but by whether families can afford a decent life,” Sakala said.
He called on the government and policymakers to urgently address cost-of-living pressures so that economic growth translates into real benefits for consumers.
“This is a matter for policymakers to come up with policies that will put Zambians first, especially the poor majority. Government needs to intervene; our people need a quality life. They need to eat; they need health care delivery,” he said.
