Chamisa considers party name change amid CCC crisis

HARARE, Zimbabwe – The leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Nelson Chamisa, is reportedly contemplating a change in the party’s name as internal disputes and recalls threaten to fracture the opposition movement.

The CCC, formed in January 2022 after Douglas Mwonzora claimed the MDC Alliance, is facing challenges, with Sengezo Tshabangu asserting interim leadership and recalling members.

Chamisa, who lost control of the MDC Alliance to Mwonzora, is now confronted with a potential split within the CCC.

Amid the chaos, Gift Ostallos Siziba, the interim deputy spokesperson, hinted that Chamisa might emerge as the leader of the Democratic Alternative in Zimbabwe (DAZ).

However, party representatives remain elusive about abandoning the CCC name.

Siziba emphasized Chamisa’s continued leadership, stating, “Our message is to reaffirm our position that was taken in January 2022 that the alternative in Zimbabwe remains, and is led by Chamisa.”

The interim spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi, echoed a similar sentiment, stating, “CCC led by Chamisa is Zimbabwe’s Democratic Alternative. We shall rejoice.”

Speculation about the potential name change intensified after insiders revealed that Chamisa might be under pressure to adopt a new name or negotiate with Tshabangu.

There are concerns that adopting the 2019 MDC structures, as suggested by some allies, may lead to a loss of control for Chamisa.

The CCC leader disbanded those structures in 2022 to prevent infiltration by Zanu PF and State security agents.

Exiled former minister Walter Mzembi warned about potential challenges even with a new name.

“In a predatory State, it doesn’t matter how many times you rebrand or reincarnate until the fundamentals are dealt with you are either prey or predator with a prescribed political market share.”

Former Information minister Jonathan Moyo commented on the rumored adoption of DAZ as the new party name, drawing historical parallels with colonial influences.

He wrote, “THE CAPE OF ‘GOOD HOPE’ AND THE BLUES IN ZIMBABWE: first it was the sub-imperialist, Cecil John Rhodes, who gave Zimbabwe the colonial blues many moons ago from the Cape, through his predatory British South African Company.”

As the CCC faces internal strife and external pressures, the potential party name change reflects the complex dynamics within Zimbabwe’s opposition landscape.

The upcoming by-elections on February 3 will likely play a crucial role in determining the political landscape in the aftermath of these developments.