The Editor Zambia
As Zambia moves closer to the August general election, political debate is increasingly focused on one issue that affects every household: the cost of living.
It is, therefore, unsurprising that President Hakainde Hichilema has highlighted recent reductions in mealie meal prices and improvements in key economic indicators as evidence that the country is moving in the right direction. 
For many Zambians, promises mean little unless they are reflected in everyday life. The true test of any government is whether citizens can afford food, access opportunities, and feel optimistic about the future.
While challenges remain, there is growing evidence that several of the government’s interventions are beginning to produce tangible results.
The most immediate example is the declining price of mealie meal. As the nation’s staple food, mealie meal is often the most visible measure of economic wellbeing.
Following a difficult period marked by drought-induced food shortages and high prices, Zambia has recorded a maize harvest of approximately five million metric tonnes.
Increased production naturally leads to improved supply, easing pressure on prices, and enhancing national food security.
The significance of this development cannot be overstated. A country that can feed itself is better positioned to stabilize household budgets and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
Lower mealie meal prices may not solve every economic problem, but they provide much-needed relief to ordinary families who have struggled with rising living costs over recent years.
Beyond agriculture, the broader economy is also showing signs of recovery. Inflationary pressures have moderated compared to previous years, while confidence in the economy has improved.
The strengthening of the Kwacha has further contributed to reducing the cost of imported goods and services. Although economic recovery is rarely immediate or dramatic, the direction of travel appears more positive than it was a few years ago.
The government’s investments in energy, agriculture, debt restructuring, mining expansion, and social support programmes are all part of a long-term strategy aimed at creating sustainable growth.
These interventions may not generate headlines every day, but they form the foundation upon which economic stability is built.
In contrast, much of the opposition’s messaging from the opposition has remained focused on criticism rather than presenting detailed alternatives.
While scrutiny of government performance is an essential component of democracy, criticism alone does not constitute a development agenda.
Several opposition figures have promised sweeping transformations should they assume office. Yet many of these promises lack the practical detail required to convince voters that they can be implemented. Political rhetoric is easy; governing is considerably more difficult.
Take the case of Brian Mundubile and the Patriotic Front-led Tonse Alliance. As one of the prominent opposition voices, he has been vocal in criticizing the government and promising better outcomes.
However, such promises often come from the political sidelines rather than from a position supported by clear policy frameworks that Hichilema has put in place.
It is one thing to identify challenges; it is another to explain precisely how those challenges will be addressed within existing fiscal realities.
Voters are increasingly becoming more sophisticated in their assessment of political leaders. They are asking not only what politicians promise but also whether those promises are realistic and achievable.
The days when emotional slogans alone could win elections are gradually giving way to a greater demand for evidence-based leadership.
This does not mean the government is beyond criticism. Unemployment remains a concern, poverty persists in many communities, and the cost of living is still high for countless families.
However, it is equally important to acknowledge progress where it exists.
The debate facing Zambians is, therefore, not between perfection and failure. It is between continuing on a path that is beginning to show measurable results and entrusting the country’s future to opposition figures whose promises often remain largely theoretical.
As election day approaches, citizens will ultimately decide which vision they believe offers the most credible route toward sustained economic improvement.
For now, the falling price of mealie meal and other positive economic indicators suggest that the government’s interventions are beginning to move the country in a more promising direction.
