Chapter 5: The Shadows of Lusaka
Lusaka was a city of contrasts. By day, its markets bustled with commerce, and its streets teemed with opportunity. By night, whispers of darker forces filled the air. Chanda had heard stories of traders resorting to witchcraft to protect their businesses or sabotage their competitors. Though skeptical at first, he couldn't ignore the murmurs for long.
At just 15, his rapid rise in the Soweto Market had not gone unnoticed. His stall attracted more customers than many of his older competitors, and his success began to breed resentment. Chanda had always relied on hard work and strategy, but some around him believed his success was unnatural—and they decided to act.
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The First Warning
One evening, as Chanda prepared to close his stall, he noticed something unusual. A small bundle of feathers, bones, and dried herbs had been placed under his table. At first, he dismissed it as rubbish blown in by the wind, but when Mwila, his partner, saw it, her expression darkened.
"Chanda, this is not rubbish," she said in a hushed tone. "Someone has placed a curse on you."
Chanda laughed nervously. "A curse? Why would anyone curse me?"
Mwila gave him a stern look. "You've been taking business from people who have been here for years. Some traders will do anything to protect their territory, even turn to witchcraft. You must be careful."
Though he didn't believe in such things, Chanda couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that followed him home that night.
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Unexplained Misfortunes
Over the next few weeks, strange things began to happen. A sudden storm destroyed his stock of notebooks and pencils, leaving him with a loss of 600 ZMW. Then, his most trusted supplier raised prices unexpectedly, cutting into his profits. Worst of all, a rival trader, a man named Kangwa, accused Chanda of stealing customers and publicly humiliated him in front of the market crowd.
"Go back to Kaoma, boy," Kangwa sneered. "You don't belong here. This market is for real traders, not children playing business."
The crowd laughed, and Chanda clenched his fists, fighting back tears. He walked away without responding, but his spirit was bruised.
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A Visit to a Healer
Chanda's misfortunes continued to pile up, and Mwila, noticing his struggle, suggested he visit a local traditional healer.
"I know you don't believe in these things," she said, "but sometimes it's better to protect yourself. Even if it's just for peace of mind."
Reluctantly, Chanda agreed. They visited a healer named Grandmother Mutondo, an elderly woman with piercing eyes who lived in a small hut on the outskirts of the city.
Grandmother Mutondo listened to Chanda's story and examined his notebook, where he meticulously recorded every transaction. After a long silence, she spoke.
"You are honest, hardworking, and ambitious," she said. "But your light shines too brightly. It has drawn the attention of those who walk in darkness."
She handed Chanda a small pouch filled with herbs and stones. "Keep this with you at all times. It will protect you from harm. But remember, no charm can replace your own strength. Stay vigilant."
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The Return of Confidence
With the pouch hidden in his satchel, Chanda returned to the market with renewed determination. He refused to let fear or superstition derail his progress. Slowly but surely, he rebuilt his stock and regained his confidence.
One day, as he sold his wares, he noticed Kangwa's stall was unusually quiet. Curious, he asked a neighboring vendor what had happened.
"Kangwa's goods were confiscated by the council," the vendor said. "He wasn't paying his fees."
Chanda felt no joy in Kangwa's misfortune, but it reminded him of something his father had once said: "What is built on dishonesty will crumble."
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A Second Attack
Just as things seemed to be improving, Chanda faced another setback. One morning, he arrived at his stall to find that someone had spilled red powder across his table and scattered strange symbols in the dirt around his space. A crowd gathered, whispering about curses and bad luck.
This time, Chanda didn't hesitate. He swept away the powder, wiped down his table, and went about his business as usual.
"If someone wants to scare me, they'll have to try harder," he muttered under his breath.
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Fighting Back
Chanda knew he couldn't rely on charms and courage alone. He began taking practical steps to protect himself and his business.
1. Building Alliances: Chanda deepened his partnerships with trusted traders like Mwila. Together, they agreed to look out for each other and report suspicious activity.
2. Securing Stock: He rented a small storage space to keep his goods safe from tampering. It cost him 150 ZMW per month but gave him peace of mind.
3. Diversifying Income: To reduce his dependence on one market, Chanda started exploring other opportunities, including delivering school supplies directly to schools.
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A Turning Point
Chanda's resilience began to pay off. Customers admired his bravery and dedication, and his stall became more popular than ever. Even Kangwa's former customers started buying from him, impressed by his refusal to be intimidated.
One evening, Mwila pulled him aside. "You've done well, Chanda," she said. "You've shown the market that you're not just a boy. You're a true trader."
Chanda smiled, feeling a sense of pride he hadn't felt in weeks.
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Reflection
As Chanda walked home that night, he thought about everything he had endured since arriving in Lusaka. The city had tested him in ways he never imagined, but it had also taught him valuable lessons.
He realized that success wasn't just about making money—it was about standing firm in the face of adversity. He had faced curses, sabotage, and public humiliation, but he was still standing.
And as he looked up at the Lusaka skyline, he made a silent promise to himself: "No matter what comes my way, I will keep moving forward."
For Chanda, the road to wealth was far from over, but he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.