Festive season looms, budgets get tighter

The festive season is synonymous with excessive spending and for fun-seekers, it means increased hours of endless merry-making.

This year, the festive season comes on the back of a 44 percent kwacha devaluation which has further decreased the spending power of most people within the economy.

Blantyre City resident Alijeyao Nyamera said the rise in commodities prices has changed people’s spending budgets in the festive season. He admitted that most people are struggling financially.

Said Nyamera: “If you did not prepare for the festive season in advance it means you are eating into your coffers for the lean period in January. Those who will have it easy are the ones who started saving way back.  The situation is really tough at the moment.”

Things are even scary for imbibers as traffic police’s  enforcement of drink and drive rules is getting firmer. In their statement, police have promised to intensify their presence on the roads to help check crime and road traffic accidents during the festive season.

One fun-seeker Harold Namagonya said for one to stay safe they need to confine their indulgences to their locations. He said much as it will compromise on their fun, it will also minimise the risk of accidents.

“Breathlysers are a real pain and we all know that. But during the festive season there is a lot that is going on which also increases the risk on the roads. The enforcement of the drink and drive offence my work to the advantage of most imbibers,” he said.  

In trying to avert and minimise the risk of being found on the wrong side of the law, a renowned Lilongwe entertainment joint Voxi Populi has hired drivers to drop their clients home during the season.

One of the directors, Chisomo Mbite, said the idea is to make sure that their clients are safe and spared from paying the traffic fees.

Tonderai Banda, director of Stake Out Bar, which is within Amaryllis Hotel, said they will book rooms for their customers who feel they cannot drive. However, patrons will pay accommodation bills at discounted rates.

“We will have a house DJ who we will also create awareness on the risks of drink and driving. At the end of the day what we want is for our customers to be safe,” he said.