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Poet praises Chiwenga
12 Dec 2017 at 07:59hrs | Views
Mutare based poet has penned a poem depicting Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) General Constantino Chiwenga as Zimbabwe's Nehemiah who came to rescue Zimbabwe from corrupt administration that become synonymous with former President Robert Mugabe's rule.
Poet Raymond Makuwaza's poem titled Zimbabwe's Nehemiah uses literary devices such as biblical allusion to bring to light the issue of divine intervention, inevitable change and cooperation.
The poem was inspired by the military intervention led by General Chiwenga that took place weeks ago in a bid to eradicate criminal elements around the then-president Mugabe which led to the rise of President Emmerson Mnangagwa marking the dawn of a new era in the country.
Makuwaza, widely known as Uncle Ray in artistic circles, told this writer that the poem is based on a biblical story of the governor Nehemiah who was instrumental in the rebuilding of Jerusalem within 52 days.
In his poetic didactic, Makuwaza shades light on how reality imitates art as he draws various parallels between Nehemiah and General Chiwenga's exploits.
"The poem's lines are paraphrased bible verses and direct quotes. It is taken from the rebuilding of the Jerusalem walls by Nehemiah in the book of Nehemiah Chapter 1-6," said Makuwaza.
Zimbabwe is the first country in Africa to have a transitional of power with military intervention with no records of bloodshed.
"I am to believe that it is the first African country to have a peaceful change of leadership of that sort. I believe that it is not that General Chiwenga is too courageous, brave, intelligent or powerful but was used by God, in God's Zimbabwe, to save God's people. He is our own Nehemiah who led the initiative to rebuild the nation," he said.
Makuwaza, who is a theology teacher by profession, said Zimbabweans had lost hope but it was clear that change was inevitable.
"The walls of Jerusalem were destroyed the gates were burnt down and the situation was not good. These walls allude to the health delivery system, education, and economy in Zimbabwe which had deteriorated. There was need for change and it was inevitable. God could not allow Zimbabweans to continue suffering," he said.
He said the poem encourages Zimbabweans to appreciate what God has done for the country and encourages all to support and join in the vision of Nehemiah Chiwenga to restore order and legacy.
Poet Raymond Makuwaza's poem titled Zimbabwe's Nehemiah uses literary devices such as biblical allusion to bring to light the issue of divine intervention, inevitable change and cooperation.
The poem was inspired by the military intervention led by General Chiwenga that took place weeks ago in a bid to eradicate criminal elements around the then-president Mugabe which led to the rise of President Emmerson Mnangagwa marking the dawn of a new era in the country.
Makuwaza, widely known as Uncle Ray in artistic circles, told this writer that the poem is based on a biblical story of the governor Nehemiah who was instrumental in the rebuilding of Jerusalem within 52 days.
In his poetic didactic, Makuwaza shades light on how reality imitates art as he draws various parallels between Nehemiah and General Chiwenga's exploits.
"The poem's lines are paraphrased bible verses and direct quotes. It is taken from the rebuilding of the Jerusalem walls by Nehemiah in the book of Nehemiah Chapter 1-6," said Makuwaza.
Zimbabwe is the first country in Africa to have a transitional of power with military intervention with no records of bloodshed.
"I am to believe that it is the first African country to have a peaceful change of leadership of that sort. I believe that it is not that General Chiwenga is too courageous, brave, intelligent or powerful but was used by God, in God's Zimbabwe, to save God's people. He is our own Nehemiah who led the initiative to rebuild the nation," he said.
Makuwaza, who is a theology teacher by profession, said Zimbabweans had lost hope but it was clear that change was inevitable.
"The walls of Jerusalem were destroyed the gates were burnt down and the situation was not good. These walls allude to the health delivery system, education, and economy in Zimbabwe which had deteriorated. There was need for change and it was inevitable. God could not allow Zimbabweans to continue suffering," he said.
He said the poem encourages Zimbabweans to appreciate what God has done for the country and encourages all to support and join in the vision of Nehemiah Chiwenga to restore order and legacy.
Source - Farai Shawn Matiashe in Mutare
