Tinotenda Hove – Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has called on Zimbabweans to adopt a culture of giving, prayer and service, warning that selfish leadership and greed among those in power are worsening the country’s hardships.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual Charity Dinner in Harare held under the theme Caring Hearts, Sharing Hope, Chamisa said although many citizens feel abandoned and hopeless, Zimbabwe’s suffering would not last forever.

“I know a lot of people have lost hope. A lot of people are saying God has forsaken us and has left us,” Chamisa said. “But I know our God is faithful. He allows certain processes to unfold so that certain things become so apparent. God is not cruel; He will not allow Zimbabweans to suffer the way we have suffered and not be redeemed to celebrate.”

He urged church leaders to continue praying for the country, emphasising that such prayers were not for politicians but for the nation and future generations.

“You are not praying for politicians, political parties, or individuals; you are praying for the nation, future generations, and for Zimbabwe,” he said.

Chamisa stressed that Zimbabwe’s transformation would not come through activism or violence alone.

“Zimbabwe is not going to be liberated by activism alone. Zimbabwe is not going to be liberated by guns. Zimbabwe is going to be liberated by persistent and faithful prayer,” he said.

He described the mass migration of Zimbabweans into the diaspora as part of a wider process linked to national renewal.

“When God is about to restore a nation, He allows an exodus and a dispersion, and the dispersion is for the relocation and restoration of a people,” Chamisa said.

Reminding the audience that hope does not lie in individuals, Chamisa said national renewal required collective effort under God.

“I am part of the bigger picture, but I am not the picture. I am not the hope; Jesus is the hope,” he said.

Chamisa also criticised environmental destruction, particularly the damage to mountains caused by uncontrolled mining.

“We have been unkind to our mountains, our God-given endowments and resources,” he said. “Mining does not mean undermining.”

Reflecting on leadership, Chamisa cited the late Morgan Tsvangirai as an example of integrity and selfless service.

“He ran his race; he never betrayed people, not one day,” Chamisa said. “And because Morgan did his bit, I will have to do my bit. You do your bit too.”

He argued that nations thrive when leaders give rather than take.

“A nation is built by givers and not by takers. No nation builder is a taker,” he said. “It pains me; instead of having leaders in public office, we have dealers. Dealers are people who are there to take; leaders are people who are there to give.”

Chamisa called for leadership rooted in sacrifice and service, drawing inspiration from the life of Jesus Christ.

“Jesus did not come to take but to give,” he said. “What we need is leadership that is able to pour itself out, to give sacrificially, to pour itself out for others.”

He warned against a “taker mentality” in public office, saying it leads to corruption and national decline.

“Public duty is not about self. The business of public service is not taking but giving,” Chamisa said.

In closing, Chamisa urged Zimbabweans to commit themselves to integrity and service in both community and public life.

“As you leave this place, may you say to yourself: I am a giver; I am not a taker,” he said. “When you go into community or public service with this heart-set and mindset, you will never steal a penny.”

Quoting John 3:16, Chamisa ended his address by blessing the nation and the continent.

“God bless Zimbabwe. God bless Africa. God is in it.”