-set to unveil new party
MILLICENT HUNGWE
MASVINGO-September 27 is going to mark a big turning point for the former charismatic opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa as he is set to announce a new political movement.
Sources close to Chamisa’s camp told The Midweek Watch that the former ICT Minister in the 2009-13 inclusive government will launch a political movement in Chiwara, Gutu.
On the same day Chamisa will officially handover a church he built for the Zion Apostolic Church yekwaMakamba yeTambo where his father is a prominent member.
Sources confirmed that, the newly built church, which stands as a personal tribute to his father, marks a significant moment not only for the Chamisa family but also for the wider Zion community.
Efforts to get a comment from Chamisa were fruitless as his Econet number is no longer in use and the NetOne line was continuously unavailable.
A close Chamisa ally who is a councillor in Masvingo Urban suggested that this reporter should try to reach out to him on his UK number, unfortunately nobody was prepared to share the number until the time of posting the story.
Respected political analyst and university lecturer, Prof. Eldred Masunungure said the move by Chamisa to launch a political movement is not surprising as the matter has been discussed for a long time.
Prof. Masunungure also said this will fill a big void that had been created by the lack of opposition in the country and with his charisma, Chamisa will be good to go.
“The launch of a new political movement by Chamisa is not surprising as rumours have been circulating for a long time and this will go a long way in filling the huge void left by opposition parties in the country. The opposition has been on life support for a long time and this is a welcome move, with his charisma there is no doubt the opposition will rise again.
“Just like in 1999 the terrain is barren and this is the right time to launch a serious opposition movement for the country
“I also hope that Chamisa has learnt from his past mistakes which led to this situation the nation finds itself in,” said Prof. Masunungure.
A prominent lawyer who spoke on condition of anonymity for professional reasons echoed the same sentiments though with caution.
She said as much as Chamisa may not be relevant in the body politics of the nation especially to serious voters, he still commands immense support among the grassroots therefore, he can be the king or the kingmaker.
The dilemma is in how to separate the two, being the king or kingmaker as he has the biggest following in the country.
“Chamisa made serious mistakes and serious voters may not forgive him for that, but let’s not forget that the majority of the electorate do not care about that, all they want is Chamisa not his errors.
“For lack of better words the electorate and the educated are completely different, if they were the same, Trump wouldn’t be anywhere near the White House, probably languishing in jail, but look the majority prevail in politics.
“In view of that, Chamisa remains the only best available option to lead the opposition and the country due to his immense popularity and charismatic leadership, hence I applaud the move if it is true that he will launch a new political movement,” said the lawyer.
Chamisa abandoned the CCC party in early 2024 after it was infiltrated by Sengezo Tshabangu who went on a purging rampage of the leader’s allies forcing him to declare that he was going on political sabbatical.
While Chamisa is yet to officially confirm the party launch, insiders say preparations are already underway, and the dual symbolism of faith and politics could be a powerful message to supporters ahead of the 2028 harmonised elections which President Mnangagwa confirmed during his address on Thursday to the Zanu PF Central Committee.
Chamisa grew up going to the same church with his father and later joined AFM when he was in Harare.
The official opening is expected to attract church members, local leaders, and political allies.
