There is increased activity across the country as most people are busy stocking up for Christmas, taking advantage of promotional offers ahead of Christmas Day on December 25.
The Nation spot-checks in some parts of the country yesterday established that the Christmas mood is already activated with most supermarkets crammed with customers, buying various items for the festive season.
But, to some Malawians such as Tonex Ngahti, a resident of Nancholi Township in Blantyre, his preoccupation is how and where to get the next K2 000 daily to buy a kilogramme (kg) of maize flour and relish for a meal for him and his mother.
He said he is a Christian and values Christmas a lot, but circumstance, do not allow him to celebrate the birth of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
“I receive K30 000 per month and I have already taken a salary advance. This means Christmas will be nothing to me. What I am looking for is meal of the day. Life is really tough,” said Ngahti, who works as a gardener.
At the time of the interview, the 20-year-old young man was holding in his hand a one-kilogramme packet of maize flour.
In sharp contrast, about three kilometres from Nancholi Total Service Station where Ngahti was found purchasing the maize flour for yesterday’s meal, Sana Cash ‘N’ Carry Supermarket at Ginnery Corner was filled with customers buying various items for both Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.
Most of the customers were seen in jovial mood, some with their family members.
Edith Zingwangwa, one of the customers from Chemusa Township in Blantyre, said in an interview that every Christmas is a special day for everyone in her family. She observed that apart from promoting the spirit of sharing, it is also a time for enjoyment.
She said: “Christmas comes once in a year, so it is time to spoil yourself with what God has given you.
“A lot has happened in 2024. We have lost some of our friends and relatives along the way. So, to me, Christmas is a thanksgiving and at the same time, self-treatment.”
The Sana ‘N’ Carry Supermarket carpark proved to be too small for customers, forcing some to park their vehicles outside the fence. The scenario created piecework for some youths who made themselves stewards and started providing security for the cars.
“We don’t charge. We only receive any amount you can offer,” said Isaiah Cheketa, one of the self claimed stewards.
The situation was also similar in most parts of the country as people filled some shops to buy various items for both Christmas and New Year celebrations.
For instance, on Sunday, some people from Nyambo, Kalenga, Kapelula, Ndonda and Kapyanga trading centres in Kasungu East flocked to Yesu Yekha and Matamando shopping centres at Chamama Trading Centre which is about 45 kilometers from Kasungu Boma also to purchase various items for Christmas.
But in a statement issued last week, Consumers Association of Malawi advised consumers to be careful when buying during Christmas and New Year holidays to avoid unnecessary purchases.
Traditionally, Christmas celebration is a time when people enjoy, share and reflect on their lives as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25 every year.
In December, most employers pay salaries earlier than usual to allow their employees to stock up for the festive season.
