Chapter 4: Balancing Needs and Ambition
Chanda's move to Lusaka at just 14 was unconventional, even for someone with his ambition. His parents' decision to let him go had been driven by necessity rather than choice. In Kaoma, opportunities were scarce, and while they valued education, they couldn't afford the school fees. Sending Chanda to Lusaka was a gamble, but they believed in his determination.
Before he left, his mother had whispered, "Do well, Chanda, but don't forget who you are. Come back to us when you've found your way."
Now in Lusaka, Chanda had to balance his entrepreneurial dreams with the stark realities of daily survival. He was young, alone, and managing not only a business but also his basic needs in a city that showed no mercy to the unprepared.
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Daily Expenses: Life on a Tight Budget
Chanda quickly realized that Lusaka's fast-paced life came with a price tag. He meticulously tracked his spending to ensure he could afford to stay while growing his savings. Here's how his monthly expenses broke down:
Accommodation: Chanda rented a small room in Kanyama, a crowded neighborhood on the outskirts of Lusaka. The rent was 500 ZMW per month, cheap by city standards but still a significant expense for him.
Food: Meals were simple and frugal. Chanda often ate street food like nshima and beans, which cost about 20 ZMW per meal. To save money, he sometimes cooked for himself, spending about 10 ZMW a day on groceries. Monthly food costs totaled 300–400 ZMW.
Transport: To get to Soweto Market, Chanda used minibuses, which cost 10 ZMW per trip. Round trips six days a week added up to about 240 ZMW monthly.
Utilities: His room had no running water or electricity, but he paid a neighbor 100 ZMW monthly to share their water supply.
Miscellaneous: Chanda budgeted 100 ZMW for essentials like soap, toothpaste, and occasional repairs for his stall.
In total, Chanda spent about 1,200 ZMW monthly on his basic needs, leaving him with about 2,800 ZMW from his current savings of 4,000 ZMW after his first month in Lusaka. He was determined to grow that amount while keeping his expenses under control.
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Balancing Work and Personal Growth
Despite being a born entrepreneur, Chanda was acutely aware of his lack of formal education. He had only completed primary school back in Kaoma, and while he was proficient in basic math and reading, he often felt out of place when dealing with suppliers and customers who spoke fluent English.
One evening, after counting his earnings for the day, he made a decision. He would teach himself.
Using 50 ZMW, Chanda bought a used English dictionary and a few notebooks. Every night after work, he practiced reading and writing by the dim light of a kerosene lamp. He started keeping his business records in English instead of Lozi and challenged himself to speak English with customers, even if it was awkward at first.
Chanda also listened to the stories of older traders, learning from their experiences. He realized that education didn't have to come from a classroom—it could come from the streets, the markets, and the people around him.
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The Challenges of Being Young
Being just 14 in Lusaka came with its own set of challenges. Many older traders underestimated him, assuming he was too young to succeed in business. Others tried to take advantage of him, offering unfair deals or refusing to pay on time.
One day, a customer who had promised to pay for a bulk order of school supplies failed to show up. Chanda waited for hours at the market, growing increasingly anxious. When he finally tracked the man down, the customer shrugged and said, "You're just a boy. What can you do?"
Chanda was furious, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he calmly explained that his business reputation depended on fair deals and that failing to pay would mean he could no longer trust the man in the future. The customer, impressed by Chanda's maturity, eventually handed over the money.
That experience taught Chanda an important lesson: respect wasn't given—it had to be earned.
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Staying Connected to Home
Though he was thriving in Lusaka, Chanda often missed Kaoma and his family. Every month, he sent 200 ZMW back home, a token of his gratitude and a way to support his parents and younger siblings. He also wrote letters to his mother, detailing his progress and assuring her that he hadn't forgotten where he came from.
One letter read:
> "Mama, life in Lusaka is tough, but I am tougher. I am learning so much, and I promise to make you proud. One day, I will send enough money for all the children in Kaoma to go to school. Tell Baba that his advice is guiding me every day."
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Growing His Network
By the end of his second month in Lusaka, Chanda's reputation as a reliable trader had grown. Other vendors in Soweto Market began referring customers to him, and he started forming partnerships with nearby stall owners.
One such partner was Mwila, a woman in her thirties who sold fabrics. She admired Chanda's work ethic and suggested they collaborate.
"School supplies and fabrics don't compete," she said. "But parents who buy uniforms for their children also need notebooks and pencils. We can send customers to each other."
Chanda agreed, and their partnership boosted both their sales. Mwila also introduced him to her supplier, who offered better prices on bulk goods, saving Chanda 50–100 ZMW per order.
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Ambitions Beyond Survival
As Chanda's savings grew, so did his ambitions. He set a new goal: by the end of six months, he wanted to save 10,000 ZMW. With that money, he planned to open a second stall, hire an assistant, and expand his reach to other markets in Lusaka.
But he knew that to achieve this, he would have to work harder than ever. Lusaka was a city of opportunities, but it was also a city of pitfalls. Every kwacha counted, and every decision mattered.
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A Growing Determination
On the evening of his 15th birthday, Chanda sat in his tiny room, reflecting on the past year. He had come to Lusaka with nothing but his savings and a dream, and now he was on his way to building a future. He lit a small candle and made a quiet vow to himself.
"I will not stop until I am the richest man in Zambia," he said aloud, the flickering flame casting shadows on the wall.
With his expenses in check, his network growing, and his determination unwavering, Chanda was ready for whatever challenges Lusaka had in store.