Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection - JCTR

 

Basic Needs Basket

An estimated Basic Needs Basket for a family of 
Six in Lusaka


FOR THE MONTH OF

AUGUST 2005

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie Meal (Breakfast)

40,400

3 x 25 Kg bags

121,200

Beans

6,000

2 Kgs

12,000

Kapenta (Siavonga) 33,700 2 Kg 67,400
Dry Fish 50,000 1 Kg 50,000

Meat (Mixed Cut)

14,700 4 Kgs 58,800

Eggs

5,100 2 Units 10,200

Vegetable (Greens)

1,800

7.5 Kgs

13,500

Tomato 2,500 4 Kgs 10,000
Onion 2,400 4 Kgs 8,800
Milk (Fresh) 8,090 1 x 2 Litres 8,090

Cooking Oil

17,400

2 x 2 litres

34,800

Bread

2,400

1 loaf/day

72,000

Sugar

4,400

8Kgs

35,200

Salt

2,000

1 Kg

2,000

Tea (Leaves)

9,600

1 X 500 g

9,600

Sub Total

K 513,590

(B) Cost of Essential Non-Food Items
Commodity Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Charcoal

34,200

 2 x 90Kg bags

68,400

Soap (Lifebuoy)

1,300

10 tablets

13,000

Wash Soap (Paste)

2,800

4 x 400g

11,200

Jelly (e.g. Vaseline) 5,800 1 x 500ml 5,800
Electricity 113,000 113,000
Water (Medium Density) 34,000 34,000
Housing (Medium Density) 600,000 600,000
Sub Total  K 845,400
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,358,990

Monthly TOTALS

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

July August September October November December

 for 2005

1,340,840

1,333,170 1,331,950 1,331,920 1,352,130 1,349,650 1,361,770

(C) Some Other Additional Costs
Item Kwacha
Education (per year-PTA)
Basic (grades 8-9) K65,000 - K150,000
Secondary (grades 10-12) K200,000-240,000
   
Health (Clinic/ Hospital Fee)  
Monthly Scheme (per person) K1,500
No Scheme Emergency Fee K8,000
Mosquito Net (Private shop) K18,000 - K27,000
   
Transport Bus Fare round trip:
Chilenje - Town K 3,800
Chelstone - Town K 4,400
Matero - Town K 3,600
 
Fuel (Cost at the pump)
Petrol (per litre) K 5,810
Diesel (per litre) K 5,500
Paraffin (per litre) K 3,860

"Umutengo wafya kulya nauya sana mulandu wa mafuta eo babikileko, but muma companies tabalatubikilako ama salaries". - Woman in Chawama, Lusaka.

(D) Some Comparative Figures of wages - "Take Home Pay"
 

Teacher

Nurse

     Guard in Security Firm

Secretary in civil Service

Police Officer (Constable-Chief Inspector)

Kamwala Shopkeeper
(Assistant-Manager)

SALARY K407,000 to K913,000 K577,000 to K1,861,000 K120,000 to K715,000

K493,000 to K989,000

K375,000 to K679,000

K75,000 to K250,000

 

 

This survey was conducted on 25th - 26th August 2005 by the Social Conditions Research Project of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection.  Average prices were calculated on the basis of prices gathered from retail outlets at Northmead, Town Centre (Shoprite), City Market, Chawama, Chainda, Kabwata, Matero and schools, clinics/ hospitals around Lusaka. The June Basic Needs Basket is approximately US $317 based upon an average middle exchange rate of 4290 Kwacha per US $ at the end of August.

Food basket intro


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