CCC Mutare rally in pics, as Chamisa claims a record attendance surpassing Tsvangirai

Part of the scores of people that attended the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) rally at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare last Saturday. CCC president Advocate Nelson Chamisa called it a record attendance crowd that broke the history of opposition rallies in Manicaland.

…Mahere urges women to vote, be proactive in politics

Ngoni Dapira

THE Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) president Advocate Nelson Chamisa who was in Mutare last Saturday for his first rally in the province since launching his new political party early this year, left the eastern border city overwhelmed by the huge turnout. The rally was held at Sakubva Stadium.

CCC which was launched on 24 January has been embarking on promotional rallies countrywide ahead of the by-elections slated for Saturday and in preparation of the forthcoming 2023 watershed elections.

The former MDC Alliance factional leader and lawyer, Adv Chamisa, was accompanied by his interim vice-presidents Tendai Biti and Lynnette Karenyi-Kore, as well as the interim national vice-chairperson Job Sikhala.

Adv Chamisa said the capacity crowd in Mutare brought nostalgic memories of when he used to come for rallies with the late Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) pioneer and icon Morgan Tsvangirai. He however claimed that his Manicaland rally this time was a record attendance that surpassed all past opposition party rallies in the province.

“Thank you Manicaland our change champions. I see the grace of God in all I do and my biggest vision is that in Zimbabwe the time for change is unstoppable. This is because Zimbabwe is an idea whose time has come. But let me first appreciate you Manicaland. We came here with the late Morgan Tsvangirai, but this time, this is too much. You have filled the entire Sakubva Stadium to the brim. I really thank you Manicaland,” said Adv Chamisa.

He added that historically Manicaland is special in the fight for emancipation during colonialism and post-independence politics. “You are the wise men come from the East. This is also where the liberation war was mostly fought. Isn’t this where Morgan Tsvangirai came from, where Wiltshire (Hebert) Chitepo came from, where Chief Rekai Tangwena came from, where Rev Ndabaningi Sithole came from, where Dr Simba Makoni came from. So this is a province that we admire and respect. Not leaving out ‘2 Boy’ Edgar Tekere. So you are a province that has always ignited the revolutionary flame,” said Adv Chamisa in awe of the huge turnout.

The 44-year old opposition leader explained that the CCC yellow colour should not be a uniform, but is all about the heart and having genuine, devoted love to re-build Zimbabwe. He said its about re-building Zimbabwe together regardless of one’s political background, the sole reason why they are putting citizens first for a change and not politics .

“I am coming with a new message and saying gamuchirai zvitsva (accept new things)… No matter what they (Zanu-PF) do, the people of Zimbabwe are going to be free. It’s going to start on the 26th March by-elections then 2023 elections. This country is about change, its build on the rights of its children. You cannot stop an idea whose time has come,” he said, as the crowd went into a frenzy shouting ‘Yellow-Nero, Yellow-Nero’ in his praise. Nero is the nickname he used to go by during his student activism days.

Adv Chamisa added that Manicaland is a land of peace and called for the rest of the nation to take a leaf from the Eastern province. “No matter what they (ZanuPF) do we must not be provoked into violence. We want peace, we want peace, we want peace. We are the majority, but we are not going to abuse our majority. We know that we can overwhelm you, but we are peace loving people. Our hands are not full of blood but full of love,” he said.

For a newly established political party, the atmosphere was electric throughout his address which was less than one-hour. Typical of political rallies, from time to time he would break into song or shout out the party’s new slogans that the crowd responded well to surprisingly, as if they had years of rehearsals, reverberating the whole stadium. The notable large turn-out by women for the rally also denoted how women are now actively taking part in politics with no intimidation.

In a follow-up interview CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said this is no longer the era for women to shy away from politics, but to be pro-active and take up leadership positions. She applauded the large turn-out by women at the Mutare rally.

“Despite the present challenges of patriarchy, poverty and corruption, I remain optimistic about the future of Zimbabwe. But people, women especially, must register to vote. When the election comes in 2023, they must elect non-patriarchal women and men who will address the gender disparities in Zimbabwe’s political, social and economic realms,” said the outspoken, youthful advocate Mahere.

Her sentiments were also echoed in 2019, by Gender Links chief executive officer Colleen Lowe-Morna when she revealed that the 2018 harmonised elections in Zimbabwe witnessed a decline in women’s political representation at national and local level, but buttressed that this should change in the 2023 elections.

Women’s political representation has fluctuated over the past 10 years since 2008.Lowe-Morna said following the adoption of the new Constitution in 2013, the proportion of women in the national assembly increased from 14 percent to 32 percent and in the Senate from 33 percent to 48 percent, resulting in an overall representation of 34 percent women. However in the 2018 elections, this proportion reduced to 31 percent.

She added that Zimbabwe has a 30 percent proportional representation quota for women at national level which expires in 2023, raising concerns that even the limited gains made over the years may be lost. However, there is no legislated quota for women at local government level presenting a threat to women’s participation. “With women occupying only one out of four political positions, worldwide legislated quotas become an important tool to improve women’s representation in politics,” said the Gender Links boss.

Gender equality is guaranteed in the country’s Constitution. Zimbabwe has also committed to gender parity through regional and international instruments it is signatory to. The SADC Protocol on Gender and Development encourages member states to ensure equal and effective representation by women in decision-making in the political, public and private sectors, including the use of special measures.

Below is the CCC Mutare rally in pictures:

A view of the crowd from outside the stadium.

CCC regalia that was being sold at the rally ranging from $1 to $5. It comprised of hats, caps, t-shirts, overalls, cards and bracelets. The party claims it has no money for free regalia. The women sold the realia unintimidated unlike yester-years.

Recalled Mutasa South legislator Regai Tsunga (spectacles and black suit) following proceedings in the VIP booth with other CCC party members.

Mutare Mayor Simon Chabuka (yellow bow tie) following proceedings in the VIP booth.

Canaan Matiashe (yellow sweater), the former MDC Alliance Chimanimani West aspirant who lost in the 2018 harmonized elections following proceedings in the VIP booth.

Part of the CCC media crew and party members following proceedings.

L-R: CCC interim vice president Tendai Biti, president Advocate Chamisa, interim national vice-chairman Job Sikhala and second interim vice president Lynnette Karenyi-Kore dancing in solidarity on the stage before the party’s president Advocate Chamisa made his remarks.

CCC supporters raising their pointed index finger, which is the slogan for the party.

CCC president Advocate Chamisa making his remarks.

CCC president Advocate Chamisa endorsing the two candidates Prosper Mutseyami (left) and Regai Tsunga (right) who will represent his party in the Manicalnd by-elections on Saturday, vying for the Dangamvura/Chikanga and Mutasa South constituencies respectively.