Nelson Chamisa is the real deal

I have read many reviews and critics of the decision by former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa's return to active politics in Zimbabwe.

People have different views on the issue and that is fine, and must be encouraged.

In a democratic society, it far better and more healthier to have different views and encourage debate than seek to cultivate a culture of a herd mentality and blind following of a leader, a party or cause.

We are where we are now partly because from Independence in 1980, especially during the early years, most people just followed Zanu PF and its leader Robert Mugabe blindly.

Coming of a protracted and brutal liberation struggle, there was joy, euphoria and fear which played a huge part in drumming up support for Zanu PF and Mugabe.

It was unfashionable to support the opposition in the 1980s.

Some people actually called for opposition leaders, for instance Zapu leader Joshua Nkomo, to be hanged for being in opposition, which they deemed treasonous.

Mugabe's one-party state agenda, authoritarian repression and manufactured consent created a society with a herd mentality, lack of critical thinking and influenced by mass gullibility.

A society characterised by a herd mentality and a lack of critical thinking faces significant challenges to its progress, stability, and individuality. 

Excessive conformity discourages new ideas and challenges to the status quo. 

Historically, breakthroughs in science and social justice occurred because individuals had the courage to resist prevailing beliefs; a lack of such dissent leads to intellectual and cultural stagnation and decline.

A nation run through propaganda alone is a recipe for disastrous failure.

This results in voters making their choices based on group affiliation rather than evidence.

Now, I posit that Nelson Chamisa’s formal return to frontline politics has reaffirmed his position as the "real deal" in Zimbabwe’s quest for democratic change.

After a strategic two-year hiatus, Chamisa’s unveiling of Agenda 2026 — a broad-based citizens’ movement — demonstrates a leader who is not merely a politician, but a visionary committed to a "fresh start" for a nation in crisis.

His return on January 23, 2026, was punctuated by his observation that the political "dance floor" remained vacant during his absence. 

This highlights his unique standing; despite the emergence of other figures, none have been able to command the same level of mass support and create hope.

His Agenda 2026 moves beyond conventional party politics, aiming to transcend tribe, race, and class to unite all Zimbabweans under a common national purpose.

Chamisa has proven his resilience by consistently surviving and adapting to extreme state-sponsored efforts to dismantle his influence.

The visible discomfort and "panic" within the ruling Zanu PF at his mere mention suggests that he remains the only genuine threat to their decades-long hold on power.

By rejecting "recycled" politics and distancing himself from captured institutions like the former CCC, Chamisa has shown he would rather start anew than compromise on the legitimacy of his cause.

Unlike leaders who seek power for personal gain, his 2026 roadmap emphasises citizen agency.

His strategy for the first half of 2026 focuses on building legal, institutional, and grassroots foundations rather than hollow rallies, showing a sophisticated shift toward long-term structural change.

He has correctly identified the Zimbabwean diaspora as the "backbone" of the economy and promised them a central role in the nation's democratic rebirth.

So given all this, Chamisa is the "real deal" because he provides the only credible alternative to a status quo marked by economic collapse and institutional decay. His return has electrified a population eager for change, proving that he possesses the enduring charisma and strategic foresight necessary to lead Zimbabwe towards change and prosperity in years to come and beyond.