Chapter 3: Arrival in Lusaka
The minibus hurtled down the Great West Road, its rickety frame rattling with every pothole. Chanda clutched his satchel tightly, his knuckles whitening around the strap. Inside was everything he owned: a few clothes, his meticulously recorded notebook of transactions, and the 1,500 ZMW he had worked tirelessly to save. As Kaoma faded into the distance, his excitement warred with nerves. Lusaka was a city of millions, a far cry from the dusty markets and familiar faces of his hometown.
When the minibus finally rolled into the chaotic heart of Lusaka, Chanda was overwhelmed. The streets were alive with honking cars, bustling pedestrians, and vendors hawking everything from roasted maize to counterfeit electronics. High-rise buildings towered over sprawling markets, and the air buzzed with opportunity.
Chanda had arrived, but the real challenge was just beginning.
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Meeting Mr. Zulu
At the agreed meeting point, a small café near Kamwala Market, Chanda spotted Mr. Zulu, the man who had promised him a foothold in Lusaka's business world. Dressed in a sharp suit, Zulu exuded confidence and authority. He waved Chanda over with a smile.
"You made it," Zulu said, shaking Chanda's hand firmly. "Welcome to Lusaka. This city moves fast, but if you're sharp, you can make more money here in a day than you'd make in Kaoma in a month."
Chanda nodded, his resolve hardening. "I'm ready to learn."
Zulu leaned back in his chair, his expression turning serious. "Good. But let me be clear—this city doesn't care about where you come from or how hard you work. It cares about results. If you can't deliver, you'll be swallowed whole."
Chanda swallowed his nerves and nodded again. He had come too far to back down now.
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The First Lesson
Zulu took Chanda to Kamwala Market, one of the busiest trading hubs in Lusaka. The market was a maze of stalls selling everything imaginable: clothing, electronics, groceries, and more. Zulu walked briskly, pointing out key lessons as they navigated the crowd.
"Here, competition is fierce," Zulu explained. "You need to find a niche—something people need but don't have enough of. Once you find it, you dominate that market."
They stopped at a vendor selling imported second-hand shoes. The stall was crowded with customers, each haggling over prices.
"These shoes come from Tanzania," Zulu said. "The vendor probably bought the whole lot for about 5,000 ZMW. If he sells them all at a slight markup, he'll walk away with 7,000 ZMW. Two thousand kwacha in profit, just like that."
Chanda nodded, taking mental notes. He could already see the potential.
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Finding a Niche
For the next week, Chanda shadowed Zulu, learning the ins and outs of Lusaka's markets. He watched how traders negotiated deals, tracked which goods sold fastest, and observed the ebb and flow of customers. Zulu encouraged him to start small, but Chanda was determined to make a bold move.
After careful observation, Chanda noticed a gap in the market. While many vendors sold second-hand clothes and shoes, few offered affordable, high-quality school supplies. With the school term approaching, he saw an opportunity.
Using 800 ZMW of his savings, Chanda bought bulk quantities of notebooks, pencils, and backpacks from a wholesale supplier Zulu had introduced him to. He spent another 200 ZMW renting a small stall in the bustling Soweto Market. With 500 ZMW left as a safety net, Chanda was ready to make his move.
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The First Day
On his first day at the stall, Chanda worked from dawn until dusk. He greeted every potential customer with a smile, offering deals that undercut the competition.
"Notebooks! Only 10 ZMW each!" he called out. "Pencils, just 2 ZMW!"
By midday, his stall was drawing a crowd. Parents preparing for the school term were eager to buy affordable supplies, and Chanda's friendly demeanor won them over. By the end of the day, he had sold nearly all his stock, earning a total of 1,500 ZMW.
As he counted his earnings that night, his heart swelled with pride. He had not only recovered his investment but also made a profit of 500 ZMW in a single day. For the first time, he felt like he truly belonged in Lusaka.
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Facing Challenges
Success, however, was not without its challenges. The next morning, Chanda returned to the market to find that several other vendors had started selling school supplies, inspired by his success. Prices dropped as competition intensified, and Chanda's profits began to shrink.
Frustrated but undeterred, Chanda sought Zulu's advice.
"This is part of the game," Zulu said with a shrug. "The moment you succeed, others will try to copy you. The key is to stay one step ahead. Find something new before they do."
Taking Zulu's words to heart, Chanda began diversifying his stock. He added calculators, rulers, and even small chalkboards to his inventory. To attract more customers, he also started offering small discounts to those who bought in bulk.
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Building Relationships
As Chanda adapted, he also realized the importance of building relationships. He took the time to get to know his suppliers, ensuring he always got the best deals. He learned the names of his regular customers and greeted them warmly, creating a sense of loyalty.
One day, a teacher named Ms. Banda approached his stall. She was buying supplies for her entire class and was impressed by Chanda's professionalism.
"You're quite the businessman," she said with a smile. "Have you ever thought about expanding? There are schools outside Lusaka that could use someone like you."
Chanda's mind raced with possibilities. Expanding beyond Lusaka seemed daunting, but the idea planted a seed that would grow in time.
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A Growing Dream
By the end of his first month in Lusaka, Chanda's savings had grown to 4,000 ZMW. He had proven to himself—and to the city—that he could survive and thrive in a competitive market. But his ambition burned brighter than ever.
Sitting in his small rented room one evening, Chanda opened his notebook and wrote down a new goal: 10,000 ZMW by the end of the year. It was an ambitious target, but he was determined to achieve it.
As he looked out over the city lights, Chanda knew he had only scratched the surface of what Lusaka had to offer. This was just the beginning of his journey to become the richest man in Zambia.
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The stage was set. With every kwacha he earned, Chanda inched closer to his dream. But Lusaka had its own plans, and the path to success would be anything but straightforward.