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

OCTOBER 2005

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie Meal (Breakfast)

41,000

3 x 25 Kg bags

123,700

Beans

5,300

2 Kgs

10,600

Kapenta (Siavonga) 34,000 2 Kg 68,000
Dry Fish 46,700 1 Kg 46,700

Meat (Mixed Cut)

13,800 4 Kgs 55,200

Eggs

5,100 2 Units 13,500

Vegetable (Greens)

1,800

7.5 Kgs

13,500

Tomato 2,600 4 Kgs 10,400
Onion 2,700 4 Kgs 10,800
Milk (Fresh) 7,760 1 x 2 Litres 7,760

Cooking Oil

17,000

2 x 2 litres

34,000

Bread

2,400

1 loaf/day

72,000

Sugar

4,400

8Kgs

35,200

Salt

2,100

1 Kg

2,100

Tea (Leaves)

9,600

1 X 500 g

9,600

Sub Total

K 509,060

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

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Charcoal

31,600

 2 x 90Kg bags

63,200

Soap (Lifebuoy)

1,300

10 tablets

13,000

Wash Soap (Paste)

2,700

4 x 400g

10,800

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 839,800
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,348,860

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 1,358,990

1,353,790

(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 6,025
Diesel (per litre) K 5,345
Paraffin (per litre) K 3,965

"Chilala chenzeko chaka chata, chinaleta njala muma banja yambiri ku mudzi (Chongwe). Makolo yachita ganyu muma farm kuti bapese chakudya chabana”  – Mother visiting daughter in Kanyama,  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)

Pieceworker on a farm

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

K3,000 to K15,000 per day

 

 

This survey was conducted on 26th and 27th October 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 $319 based upon an average middle exchange rate of 4230 Kwacha per US $ at the end of October.

Food basket intro


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