KEY POINTS
- Chamisa urges leadership based on values, not greed.
- Water harvesting is key to ending Zimbabwe’s hunger crisis.
- Chamisa is open to dialogue but insists on resolving key issues first.
Nelson Chamisa has taken a bold stand against opposition leaders he claims are driven by greed rather than the goal of liberating Zimbabwe.
Speaking at a charity fundraising dinner in Harare on Saturday, Chamisa said selfish motives within the opposition have weakened the cause to transform the nation.
According to Chamisa, Zimbabwe needs principled leadership focused on values and service, not personal gain. “We need strong leaders. Leaders who are not after serving themselves but who serve others,” he said.
He emphasized that liberation is not a “one-day wonder” but a consistent, disciplined effort. His comments come at a time when some opposition members have defected to the ruling party, leading to criticism of their loyalty and integrity.
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader argued that opposition figures must be accountable and transparent, adding that their actions must be driven by a broader mission to improve Zimbabwe’s future, not just personal ambition.
Man-made hunger demands urgent action, Chamisa says
Chamisa went further to highlight Zimbabwe’s worsening food crisis, which he claims is not a natural disaster but a result of poor governance and mismanagement.
According to New Zimbabwe, he called for a renewed focus on water harvesting, saying that rains are allowed to flow into the ocean instead of being stored for use in agriculture.
“Our loss must be compensated for in a lot of planning and building of Citizens Relief Services Programme,” Chamisa stated. “We need to come up with green belts and the Green Zimbabwe Programme.”
The CCC leader noted that food insecurity now cuts across political affiliations, affecting all Zimbabweans.
He described it as a national crisis requiring a united front to develop lasting solutions. He argued that water-harvesting technologies could have cushioned citizens against the effects of drought.
This year’s charity dinner, which Chamisa hosts annually to raise resources for struggling families, underscored the growing demand for aid. More Zimbabweans now rely on food assistance due to increasing poverty levels and a lack of social support systems.
Chamisa urges unity amid calls for talks with Mnangagwa
Chamisa also spoke about his willingness to engage in dialogue with President Emmerson Mnangagwa. However, he stressed that such a conversation would need to address fundamental issues, particularly the legitimacy of the 2023 election.
“The 2023 dispute is a case in point and that is the starting point of our conversation and resolution in this country,” Chamisa said.
He described Zimbabwe as a “divided government” where citizens and political actors do not agree on governance principles.
When asked if he would compromise to foster national unity, Chamisa said a compromise might not be possible without first addressing core problems. He noted that while dialogue could help unify the country, the issues that divide Zimbabwe must be resolved first.
Chamisa’s comments highlight the broader challenge of political unity in Zimbabwe, where deep divisions persist over the credibility of past elections.
He emphasized that lasting solutions require a shift from party-based decision-making to a people-centered approach.
