Leader of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party, Nelson Chamisa, has described the late Zodwa and Dumiso Dabengwa as pillars of the country whose deaths were a blow because of the influential role they played in challenging injustice in Zimbabwe.
Addressing mourners at the funeral service of Zodwa, wife to the late national hero, at the Amphitheatre in Bulawayo on Saturday, Chamisa said the Dabengwas desired to see Zimbabwe progress and develop.
“We are crying because we have lost the pillars of our nation. Dabengwa was a pillar of this country and so was umama (MaKhumalo). They understood that to build a nation, we must build regions and make sure we devolve authority, empower the people because the country and its resources belong to everyone,” said the CCC leader.
Chamisa stated he regarded MaKhumalo as his mother and Dumiso as his father.
“You can’t be a leader if you don’t have tutors and mentors. With Dabengwa, we walked and worked very well and the reason we connected was his wish to see development of Bulawayo and Zimbabwe represented the vision I have. That is how we connected,” said the opposition leader.
Chamisa further claimed that he and MaKhumalo talked on a weekly basis, even when she was abroad, and that she would tell him she was praying for his safety.
“I would speak to my mother almost every week. My sister (referring MaKhumalo’s daughter) from the UK will know that everyday she would always say, ‘Chamisa, my child I am praying for you to be safe.’ She told me in 2022 that she was supposed to come this year in August but had a hip replacement and her doctors said it was unsafe to travel,” Chamisa said.
“We didn’t talk politics but she will say, ‘I’m praying that you will be safe.’ Her prayer was for me to be safe and I hope that we will continue to be safe as a nation so that we are able to develop the country. Today my heart is in pain because I’ve lost a mother who was always praying.”
The presidential aspirant said prayer is what keeps countries strong and unlocks opportunities.
“Prayer unlocks leaders as well. Leaders must understand that leadership is about worshipping God, praying and looking up to God,” said Chamisa, who is also a pastor at AFM.
The presidential aspirant said he drew inspiration from Dabengwa and detailed how he wanted the Zambezi Water Project to thrive because he understood water is life.
“Dabengwa wanted Bulawayo and Zimbabwe to develop, that’s what we are here for. The Dabengwas represent a legacy, our inheritance from the Dabengwa family is love because they cared and had good hearts. Thank you for giving us such pillars. MaKhumalo had a beautiful soul, heart and character,” said the CCC leader.
He added that he was not going to talk about politics, lest he infuriates the Bulawayo Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, who was representing the State and President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the funeral service.
“We belong to different parties but belong to one country. This is a platform to remember our mother, to honour and respect the work she did,” he said. However, in his opening remarks, while acknowledging the presence of religious ministers, he made a sarcastic remark against the Zanu PF-led government.
“I acknowledge ministers of the word present here, they are the Cabinet from Heaven, a special Cabinet. This Cabinet is not corrupt and has no elections. It is an anointed one,” Chamisa said to cheers.
Chamisa stated people wanted a country where resources are shared equitably.
“We came for the launch of the Dabengwa Foundation in 2018 and I was the guest of honour. Dabengwa saw something in this young man (referring to himself) and said the vision I have is the vision they used to have when they were young,” he said and assured people that he would bring that vision to reality,
“To the Dabengwas, we are not going to let you down. We are going to make sure that Zimbabwe shall be the pride of this whole continent and in the whole world. We will develop Zimbabwe. We will unite people, make sure we devolve authority and make sure not everything done is Harare. We want to make sure we devolve policies, develop programmes and facilities for people. That is our commitment.”
