Chamisa says opposition leaders cannot liberate Zimbabwe

OPPOSITION politician Nelson Chamisa has criticized self-serving opposition leaders, stating that their lack of gravitas and focus on personal gain undermines efforts to liberate Zimbabwe from its current socio-economic challenges. He added that merely criticizing the government for poor planning and hunger-induced crises is insufficient to bring about meaningful change.

Chamisa was speaking on Saturday night after hosting a Charity Fundraising Dinner at a local hotel. Over the years, the event has served as a platform for the opposition leader to mobilize resources for vulnerable families across Zimbabwe during the festive season.

Addressing the issue of defections among opposition leaders to the ruling Zanu-PF party, as well as growing frustrations among citizens over Zimbabwe's prolonged struggles, Chamisa reiterated that the fight for freedom demands consistency and selflessness.

"The struggle to liberate the country is neither a one-day wonder nor an instant coffee affair. It's not a walk in the park or a fly-by-night task. One needs to be consistent, conscious, and strong. The fight is not a fight for opportunities, but a fight for values.

"We need strong leaders. Leaders who are not after serving themselves but who serve others. Leaders who are not motivated or driven by a galloping appetite for material gains. Leaders must be driven by the broader and collective objective of making a difference," Chamisa said.

Chamisa expressed concern that this year's fundraising dinner comes at a time when hunger and poverty are on the rise due to poor governance and lack of foresight by the country's leadership. He called for urgent reforms in planning and technology adoption to address the drought crises affecting the nation.

"Our loss must be compensated for in a lot of planning and building of Citizens Relief Services Programme. But also, being able to harvest and harness water. Rains fall, and when they come, water flows right into the oceans. We are not harnessing and harvesting the water. We need to come up with green belts and the Green Zimbabwe Programme," Chamisa said.

The 47-year-old opposition leader emphasized that the country's hardships had transcended political lines, forcing many Zimbabweans to seek better opportunities abroad.

"Hardships have crossed all boundaries, leaving many struggling despite political affiliation. This is no longer just a Zanu-PF party issue; it's a Zimbabwean issue requiring citizens to join hands in crafting a lasting solution," he said.

When asked if he would consider working alongside President Emmerson Mnangagwa to address the country's challenges, Chamisa stated that certain "sticking issues" would need to be resolved first, particularly addressing disputes over governance and the 2023 election.

"A conversation, yes. Compromise perhaps not, because the issue is to first identify the problem and the solution. We will then need to engage the people of Zimbabwe in their totality.

"Right now we are a divided people. We are a divided country. We are a divided government because the people are ultimately the government, but the government is divided because people do not agree on how the government must function or be constituted.

"The 2023 dispute is a case in point and that is the starting point of our conversation and resolution in this country. An ostrich mentality of burying its head in the sand thinking it will save the back when the marauding fire spreads around is not of any help," Chamisa added.

Chamisa's remarks underscore the urgency for collective action and strong leadership to address Zimbabwe's ongoing economic hardships, while also calling for unity and a fresh approach to national governance.