Former opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has reiterated his dedication to serving Zimbabwe, even as questions swirl about his future in politics following his resignation from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
While Chamisa claims to remain committed to Zimbabwe’s democratic struggle and insists the fight for a better country is far from over, he has not clarified whether he plans to re-enter the political arena or pursue his efforts in a different capacity.
The former opposition leader resigned from CCC in January this year citing the party’s alleged capture by Zanu PF, leaving many questioning his role in Zimbabwean politics.
However, on Wednesday, Chamisa claimed he remains committed to Zimbabwe’s broader struggle for democracy, despite the challenges faced by those involved in the cause.
In a long tweet, Chamisa reflected on the difficulties encountered in the fight for a “new great Zimbabwe.”
He acknowledged some activists grow weary, others become disillusioned, and some even turn against the cause.
Chamisa asserted he is among the few who are committed to the long haul, stating, “I am proud to belong to this category.”
While some argue Chamisa owes an explanation to the two million voters who supported him in last year’s elections, his supporters maintain he is no longer accountable as he no longer leads the CCC.
In his tweet, Chamisa offered insight into the complexities of the struggle for democracy, stating, “Over time, a lot happens. Some fall by the wayside, some go offside yet very few remain onside and inside!!”
He described the various challenges faced by activists, including exhaustion, frustration with slow progress, and the temptation to abandon the cause for personal gain.
However, Chamisa emphasised that the struggle is not in vain, promising that “ultimately victory kicks in.”
When questioned on social media about his political status, Chamisa clarified he remains committed to serving and leading Zimbabwe, noting that “politics is a tiny component” of his calling.
“I’m called to serve and lead. Politics is a tiny component of that calling!” Chamisa said
The debate over Chamisa’s future was further fueled during a discussion on CITE’s This Morning on Asakhe on X Spaces on Wednesday, where participants were divided over his role in opposition politics.
Fainos Kamundah expressed confusion over Chamisa’s decision to retire from partisan politics while remaining available for national leadership, calling for clarification on what this means for the opposition movement.
“We want a way forward. People are a little bit iffy if we chuck in Chamisa’s name because he resigned from politics. My confusion as a Zimbabwean opposition supporter is the principal said he retired from partisan politics but is available for national leadership. What does that mean?”he asked.
Patricia Chinyoka, another participant, defended Chamisa’s decision to step back from the CCC, arguing he should be allowed to make his own choices without being pressured by critics.
“When he is ready to come back into opposition politics, he will in his own time,” she said, calling for an end to the “toxicity” and “mudslinging” surrounding Chamisa’s decisions.
“We should as the Zimbabwean community be fighting against Zanu PF and trying to get it out of the government but we don’t do that.”
Chinyoka said Zimbabweans were attacking Chamisa for a choice he made when he had been put into a corner.
“The hate, narcissism, political microaggression, the weaponisation of his Christian beliefs used against him are absolutely abhorrent,” she said.
“I am ashamed for my fellow Zimbabweans waking up each morning and attacking a single man rather than us Zimbabwean uniting. Let’s give him a break and let him decide his next steps. If he decides to resign completely from opposition politics, that’s his business. We need to leave him alone.”
However, others like Boss Salani argued Chamisa should be held accountable for his actions, given his desire to be a national leader.
“This word ‘attack’ is thrown around as propaganda itself because we are asking questions, wanting clarification, seeking transparency and accountability. We have every right to do so,” she said.
Salani criticised the narrative that Chamisa should not be questioned, comparing it to the rhetoric used by supporters of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“What the supporters of Chamisa are saying is what supporters of Mnangagwa are saying, ‘give him time,’ there’s always a statement whenever people request transparency and accountability when things are not working,” she said.
Salani said Chamisa ought to be held accountable for his promises.
“Look at the list of things he has said with his God is in it mantra that have not worked out and surely there comes a time when you realise that perhaps he’s not the man for the job,” she said.
“It is ok to try somebody else.”
Chamisa’s response also comes after he found himself at the centre of a heated debate on social media.
During the recent SADC Summit in Harare, which drew significant attention for the human rights violations, Chamisa tweeted questioning the integrity of the regional bloc.
“We must turn @SADC_News into a community of values and a bastion and institution of the oppressed, not a club of the oppressive and abusive. We have a generational mandate and duty to shift things. We will transform Africa. Fellow citizens of Southern Africa, we must shape this world.”
His tweet ignited widespread discussion, with one user asking Chamisa “ … What’s next president?”
Chamisa’s response, “Wait and see that Our #Godisinit,” stirred controversy, particularly among prominent figures like veteran academic and political analyst Ibbo Mandaza and Hopewell Chin’ono.
Mandaza did not mince words, stating, “It is either you are meant to lead or you are not leadership material! Go with your #Godisinit and leave opposition politics now, to allow new leadership. You have served the state well by systematically demobilising the masses—a damn disgrace for which you will pay dearly. Declare your departure or we expose you.”
Chin’ono echoed similar sentiments, criticising Chamisa’s leadership and accusing him of failing the opposition.
“This nonsense is now nauseating! You can’t keep repeating the same thing for seven years while (people are wallowing in jail),” he said, referring to Chamisa’s often-used phrase ‘God is in it.’
