A 49 year old single mother of eight has made history by becoming the first woman to complete a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) construction project in Luapula Province’s Mwense District and did so ahead of deadline.
While most ladies fear even killing a cockroach at their boyfriend’s place, Catherine Chandashika has never been that type because of how she manages to build and lift blocks.
Chandashika is the founder of Kageno Contractors and Suppliers who was empowered by government through CDF and successfully delivered a brand new one by three classroom block with ablution blocks, water scheme and solar system at Musangu Primary School.
The project valued at K2.7 million initially expected to take three months, was completed in just two months, thanks to the female contractor’s hands on leadership and relentless work ethic.
But before Chandashika touched the project, the school was a skeleton of broken bricks and forgotten promises.
Like the recent inducted commandos from the Mbala Special Forces Training School and a Kopala commander who devoured 10 lamps of nshima, the 49 year old female contractor moulded concrete with bare hands.
Each time she found her workers chatting without doing the work, Chandashika would erupt in anger like a volcano, telling them “wakamba vyambili, vala kamwa kako” and serious business would continue so she says.
It is reported that the contractor worked day and night, shoulder to shoulder with her team of 30 local workers. Rain or shine, she was there with boots on the ground and sleeves rolled up.
“I was very happy when they gave me this contract. I was told to complete constructing the school in 90 days but I did it before that time because I’m passionate about my job and I always want to make my clients happy,” Catherine said, her voice as calm as a dove staying at a harmonious home.
For the 49 year old, construction is more than just a job. It’s a lifeline for her family so she says. As a single mother of eight, she has used the income from contracting to raise and educate her eight children.
“This is the money that keeps my children. I always want to do things that will outlive me,” she told Kalemba.
The Musangu project is her third major assignment, following successful works at Lukwesa Primary School and Kashiba Secondary School in the same district under CDF.
She has also completed several rehabilitation and water schemes in rural areas.
What sets her apart, however, is not just her gender in a male dominated field but the level of commitment she brings to each site.
Chandashika revealed to Kalemba that she personally supervised the construction and created job opportunities in the community by employin 30 local workers.
Her daughter described her as “tough and passionate”, saying her mum always showed up on site early, catching the worm and could leave late.
Government support also played a key role as she confurmed receiving 25 percent of the project’s funds upfront, which helped her secure materials and pay workers early to allow construction to proceed without delay.
She advised other women to follow her footsteps.
“My advice to my fellow women is that don’t be afraid of work. The government is creating opportunities under CDF and they always emphasise on giving contracts to local contractors of which I’m so grateful for,” stated Chandashika.
Local Government and Rural Development Minister Gift Sialubalo who was in the district to inspect how CDF projects were being implemented in the district was happy to see a woman deliver such great works.
Sialubalo stated that government would continue giving contracts to local contractors so as to empower communities.
Story and pictures by Catherine Pule
Kalemba, May 24, 2025
