Private sector contributions to sustainable development in Zambia hold the key to driving Zambia’s growth, according to Stanbic Bank Zambia.
To prove precisely this point, the bank promised in 2016 to provide housing to vulnerable families in Zambia, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Zambia that is overseeing the construction of ten houses valued at K400,000 over five years.
One such example is that of 62-year-old Agness Sakala, one of the beneficiaries who together with her 79-old-year-old husband Lackson, has been living in a tent with their ten grandchildren in Lusaka’s Ngombe area for the past six years.
“The long wait is finally over for us to have a proper roof over our heads and a place that deserves to be called home,” said an elated Agness, after she toured the completed four room house that Stanbic and Habitat have built for her and her family.
“The commitment that Stanbic and Habitat have shown in providing decent housing for the vulnerable people in our society is a very significant and humbling achievement that has left us lost for words to express how grateful we are for this gesture,” she said.
Agness and her husband are not in formal employment but grow some of their own food as well as sell their produce to generate money to buy other groceries and clothes. The family primarily grows maize for mealie meal.
Decent housing plays a vital role in eradicating barriers to opportunity, success and health that might have been part of a family’s life for years, if not generations, explained Stanbic Bank Zambia chief executive Charles Mudiwa.
“We have been in Zambia for close to 60 years and we will continue to support the growth of the country,” he said. “To this end, Stanbic Bank has, over the years, worked to improve education and health facilities and services across Zambia. Under our corporate social responsibility programme, the bank has changed the lives of many Zambians across the country.”
Agness has since called on other organisation to emulate Stanbic and Habitat by searching for alternative solutions to the housing crisis in the country that would provide the poor with access to serviced land and affordable housing.
Studies have revealed that a lack of adequate housing not only compromises development, but can also generate a threat from the many social ills that arise from homelessness. Inadequate housing is therefore generally considered a barrier to the prospects for sustainable livelihoods.
Zambia is currently facing a shortage of 1.3 million houses, and that number is projected to reach more than 3.3 million by 2030. Statistics show that the country produces a mere 73,000 housing units annually with only 40 per cent meeting the minimum health and sanitation requirements in accordance with the Zambian Public Health Act.
Much as it is appreciated to house the homeless, it gives a bad image for Stanbic and Habitat for Humanity to build such a substandard house valued at K40 million. The workmanship is not good and the house looks unfinished.
I agree the house looks old by the way, why not chindika ama Zambians as Stanbic benefits a lot from the Zambian people is this the best they can give back? If that house is truly valued at K40,000.00 then our country is one of the most expensive places to build a house in.
Stanbic bank and habitat for Humanity buiding such bullsh!t house, what a joke?
This house can’t be K40,000 maybe it is a house behind the one we are seeing. If this one is K40,000,all involved need to be rounded up immediately.
Honestly, this house should not be displayed as one built by a bank, it’s sub standard and unfinished. They should not be proud to report on such development. As for city council is this the plan they approved for this bank to build for our people!!!! Kindly build houses portray the real image of what you intend to do for our people and not just a name
Zambians are just good at criticizing. If the house shown above is substandard, the best you can do is to build better houses and donate them to the poor. You have never donated even village huts to the poor and yet you are busy criticizing. Demonstrate it with actions that you are better than Habitat for Humanity and Stanbic. Arm Chair Critics as usual.
Zambians are just good at criticizing. If the house shown above is substandard, the best you can do is to build better houses and donate them to the poor. You have never donated even village huts to the poor and yet you are busy criticizing. Demonstrate it with actions that you are better than Habitat for Humanity and Stanbic. Arm Chair Critics as usual making comments.
You have clearly missed the point…
I have built four of such for my farm workers at my farm,Stanbic be serious!
This charade of a donation clearly shows how capitalistic these banks are, and Habitat for Humanity, what a shame…
This is simply 3 rooms without plumbing and electricity. The roof is not even high enough for a ceiling. The house has not even been plastered. I suppose coming from a tent this is a step in the right direction but not worthy of crowing about by the entities involved.
Is this the best Stanbic bank can do? If I was the bank manager I would be ashamed to talk about this project.