While the rest of the country struggles with the frustrations of power outages, commercial pleasure providers in Samfya are finding a silver lining in the darkness.
These vendors say they are experiencing an unexpected boom in business, as the shadows cast by the power deficit provide the perfect cover for their clandestine activities. Beatrice Matala, a local entrepreneur, shared that the darkness has created an ideal environment for their operations.
“I know it’s sad that loadshedding has negatively impacted many businesses, but for us, things are looking up. We are seeing more clients on weekends, especially those whose wives are not in the district. For them, it’s full service,” she said.
Another worker, Rose Chansa, who operates around Big Generals, the largest nightclub in Samfya, highlighted how the lack of power helps them cut costs. “Without electricity, we don’t need to book rooms because the darkness provides the cover we need. Truck drivers, for instance, prefer short-time services in their trailers or between the tyres of their trucks,” she explained.
Despite the increased clientele, competition from expatriate workers from other towns has caused tension. Mumbi Chiba, another Samfya-based worker, complained about the influx of business rivals from Kasama, Mansa, and Chilubi Island, accusing them of lowering prices.
“These women are cheap and unhygienic. They don’t even know how to take proper baths, yet they’re stealing our clients,” Mumbi lamented.
The recent expansion of Samfya has contributed to the growth of this trade, with people from surrounding districts like Chifunabuli, Milenge, Chilubi, and Lunga renting houses in the town. The power outages, coupled with limited entertainment options, have made Samfya a hotspot for nighttime activities.
