Has Chamisa learnt from his mistakes?

By Trevor Ncube

MY chance encounter with Nelson Chamisa at the British ambassador’s residence last week triggered some
reflection.

At this beautiful garden party to celebrate King Charles III’s birthday, I noticed that Chamisa’s body
language now communicated a sense of humility, which is markedly different from previous encounters.

The air of entitlement and invincibility was decidedly absent.

For starters, Chamisa actually approached me and greeted me as “his long-lost brother”.

We might be estranged, but he remains my beloved brother in Christ.

Twice now Chamisa has failed in his ambition to get to State House and deliver a change of government
for his multitude of supporters.

Failure is always a good thing if we learn from it. Has Chamisa and his indisciplined supporters learnt
a thing from this defeat?

Only time will tell.

Granted, Zanu PF and the State security system played a big role in destroying the opposition, but
Chamisa and those around him must take some responsibility.

That is the first and arguably most important lesson.

Studying political adversaries is well and good, but self-introspection is perhaps much more valuable.

As things stand, Zimbabwe has no opposition to speak of.

Chamisa still has potential to be the leader of the first successful opposition, only if he has learnt
from the hard knocks of his two failures.

Understanding the assignment at hand is important for success.

Given our collective brokenness, the goal of any opposition is the fundamental transformation of our
society.

Healing our national psyche will be hugely significant for durable change.

Consequently, change is not just about removing Zanu PF from power, important as this might be.

It is important to understand that Zanu PF has become a cancer in our entire society.

The ruling party is sadly synonymous with incompetence, mediocrity, greed and corruption.

Zanu PF must be removed root and branch and give way to foundations of a new society.

Any opposition that does not realise our brokenness and the need to heal will have limited success in
Zimbabwe.

The enormity of the national and generational task at hand and, indeed, the wreckage the opposition has
endured says this is something that is unlikely to be achieved by one person.

This lesson is hugely important to both leaders and followers in opposition politics.

The message to Zimbabweans is to be an informed, engaged and active citizenry.

An engaged, informed and tolerant citizenry will ensure opposition politics is manned by men and women
of substance.

Instead of depending on one person, those wanting sustainable change must get involved in building a
broad-based coalition rooted on democratic values such as constitutionalism, tolerance, rule of law,
transparency and accountability.

It is only a movement that coalesces around values and principles, not transient grievances that will
change our society.

Consequential leadership is a collective of competent men and women. It is team work not an individual.

Democracy at national level will not be delivered by a political party run by cultists, hooligans and
sycophants.

The heavy lifting nation-building agenda requires building political parties that cherish strong
institutions and practice democracy at the branch and national level.

A political party without a constitution and rules-based conduct must not be trusted with statecraft.

In fact, such a political party is a real threat to fundamental tenets such as freedom of expression
and Press freedom.

Party constitutions are an inconvenience to small and big dictators, but they are critical in
protecting the organisation and individuals from overreach and abuse.

Constitutions and internal good governance provide for stability and continuity.

If it is Chamisa that Zimbabweans want, then they must by now have realised that he is human and
fallible.

They then must futureproof our politics by getting involved in ensuring that he is surrounded by a
strong circle of rivals who will help make him a better leader.

Chamisa has age on his side. Right now, he should be on a listening roadshow with fellow pastors,
independent civil society and business.

He should sit down, shut up, take notes and then go away and reflect.

In rebuilding from his failures, he must embrace those far better than him into his inner circle.

He must not be intimidated by sharp minds around him, but rather realise that good leaders tend to
surround themselves with people far better than them.

For Zimbabwe to prosper, the entrenched Zanu PF cancerous culture must be replaced by leaders who don’t
mimic the ruling party.

Zimbabwe will be better served by an environment that has strong opposition political parties and a
vibrant market place of ideas.

Trevor Ncube is Chairman of Alpha Media Holdings and host of In Conversation
With Trevor. This is an excerpt from the weekly Newsletter . Please subscribe for thought provoking fresh
insights.

In Conversation
With Trevor

In Conversation with Marlene Chiedza Gadzirayi

In this week’s episode Trevor sits with Marlene Chiedza Gadzirayi, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee Chief
Executive Officer who shares her ordeal after being diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer in
2019. Marlene has used this season of her life to inspire others while pursuing her passion in sports
administration. She is optimistic about Zimbabwe’s chances in the forth coming 2024 Summer Olympics.
Watch this episode
here..

Audience Responses

From Marlene Chiedza Gadzirayi episode, our community had this to say:

@mabrrnyags:

Woooow Marlene listened all the way you preached girl hakuna chinamato chinopfuura Apa,
I was saying amen all the way.I love how you have settled well in your CEO role you spoke like you
been in the role forever.Upwards and onwards madam CEO
Cheering all the way and above all you are healed cancer is under your feet!!!

@bellaafrique260:

Chiedza, you are a real light sezita rako. We never get it wrong if we surrender ourselves to God &
keep our gaze on him. May God continue to guide, protect & bless you

@mutonhodzanelson:

So inspiring, you count your blessings well girl; and you found your purpose…woow

@YvesYvesYves3Times:

Uri CHIEDZA se zita rako !! Onwards and upwards baby girl!

Coming Next: In Conversation with Dr Dr-Joseph-Kanyekanye

Don’t miss the next episode withthe General Manager SATIB Insurance Brokers Zimbabwe In Conversation
with Trevor.

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