Chiwenga: A feeble persona and zero leadership qualities

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga failed to vote for himself during the passage of Resolution Number 1 and Section 6 of ZANU PF's constitution on Friday, 17 October 2025. His inability to stand for what he believed in crushed the last vestiges of his ambition to assume the highest civil servant post in the land. His feeble persona was exposed - nationally and internationally. His failure to strategize at district and cell levels sealed his downfall. He thought being a "Generali" was enough.

Culturally, he believed that by not raising his hand - "mugoti unopihwa anyerere" - he was acting nobly. That adage has expired. Even one raised hand would have shown courage, honour, and dignity. His speech had moments of honesty, with well-thought paragraphs that resonated. But it wasn't enough.

From the start of the Mutare Congress, Chiwenga should have been proactive. He was complacent. His military acumen failed him. Mobilizing structures requires language fluency and emotional connection. He lacked the leadership skills to articulate what the masses needed to hear.

In Dotido and Mhondoro, communication differs - even within Shona. Marrying a Ndebele woman is not enough. People want to see and hear who Chiwenga is. Because of the baggage he carries, he failed to appear in Matabeleland - where his leadership was most needed.

He didn't need to talk much - just implement projects. One school is not enough. Had he pushed for the completion of the Matabeleland Water Project, the region might have forgiven past atrocities. We would have said: uyazama.

Chiwenga's poor communication skills are masked by his military background. He was one of the architects of the 2017 coup. He believes his speech - raising the constitution and claiming legality - was sufficient. But it was a coup, not a constitutional transition.

Now that he's failed to rise at Mutare, he should bow out gracefully. Mnangagwa beat him with experience. Mistakes were made - irreversible ones. Social media is merciless. It reminds us that Chiwenga declined power handed to him by Mugabe. He didn't realize that Mugabe knew Mnangagwa like the back of his hand.

Spilled milk cannot be recovered. Crying over it is futile. We live in the present. It takes courage to bow out - for the sake of dignity.

Chiwenga has survived unimaginable situations. Many commanders have died mysteriously. He should count his blessings. The universe is sending messages - but politics is noisy. He may not hear them.

Speculatively, the pain inside his home is immense. But he's too busy to notice the trauma around his children. Children obey - they don't cry when hurt by authority.

Chiwenga needs quiet. Time to reflect. Is power worth chasing? What if he turned to farming - for personal peace? Revisiting his shadows, especially at his age, could be healing. The genocide atrocities must be addressed - personally and nationally. Can he still champion truth and reconciliation?

He could help relocate street children. Zimbabwe has thousands living rough in a resource-rich but unforgiving country. Serving the lowest in society doesn't require presidency.

With his wife Miniyothando, he could rehabilitate women trapped in prostitution - now rebranded as "pleasure managers." It's illegal, dangerous, and tied to the spread of STDs and HIV/AIDS. Chiwenga could transform lives.

This is my humble advice:  
Mukoma Constantine, Soko, Chihwamba makwakwa Mukono we Tsoko; matambanadzo musiya ndaita.  
Let go. If you master the wisdom of letting go, you will have mastered life itself. Take it or leave it.