Cement shortages

There is a shortage of building cement across the whole of southern Africa. Zambia is a major producer, but Zambian companies are struggling to meet their own demands.


This is the queue of cars leading down to the cement works. Day and night the cars line up waiting to buy cement. Cars are left there overnight, marking their place. There is obviously no order system, just 'first come, first served'.

This slightly blurred photo shows the throng of people at the main doors. On another trip into town I saw several women carrying a bag of cement of their heads. I couldn't carry one in my arms, let alone on my head! It is an amazing sight to see African women carrying huge loads on their head and a baby on their back.

I understand that young girls need to start carrying loads on their heads from a early age, to be able to carry heavier loads as an adult. It is too late to start once the backbone is fully formed. The carrying of loads on the head, builds strength into the spine, enabling them to increase the load as they grow. I have rarely seen a man carrying a load on his head. Like many places in rural Africa it is the Zambian women who do the majority of the heavy work; lifting, carrying, cooking, cleaning, child bearing and rearing. The rural men are often found sitting watching the world go by!