Most narrators seem disillusioned with the government and feel that political commitment and support has gone steadily downhill since the days of President Kaunda.
Many say that their community’s needs and problems are ignored by those in power. Those who should inform and put pressure on their MPs, such as the village headman,”don’t do their job properly” either, according to Benson.
Gilbert traces the deterioration in state services and links it to agricultural decline.
Benson and Utrina say that politicians only care about the electorate when their votes count; then representatives “leave for good”. And Warren argues that representation is meaningless if those in power “don’t listen”.