People of Khombwe in the area of Traditional Authority Kuntaja, Blantyre, are failing to conduct profitable businesses due to lack of a proper market.
The locals said they have been pleading with their Members of Parliament including the incumbent Peter Kumpalume, to construct the market but nothing has been done so far.
On Thursday, they organised a mock wedding as one way of fundraising for the procurement of land and construction of the market.
Fundraising Committee Chairperson, Lukas Khumbidzi, said absence of a market is affecting development in the area.
“Transporting merchandise to Chilomoni Township is cumbersome, compounded by Michiru Mountain which stands between us and the township. Climbing the mountain with a load of merchandise on your head is not a joke. We hope that the market will bring with it easy mobility and empower the area economically,” he said.
Group Village Headman Mulima hailed the concerned locals for the initiative, saying the market would be key in ending the area’s perpetual poverty.
“From here to Chilomoni is about 11 miles while Chikuli, where there is another market, it is about 15 miles away. How much can someone, on foot, carry along that distance?” he queried.
Mulima also complained of lack of a health facility in his area, saying the nearest Chimembe and Chileka health centres are too far from the area.
Catherine Daudi said she found it worth to attend the event saying the market will alleviate economic challenges facing the area.
The wedding generated about K260,000 and the committee says other fundraising activities will follow until their wish is met.
The locals are also financing the construction of a teacher’s house at Khombwe Community Day Secondary School but the project is moving at a snail’s pace due to shortage of funds.
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