Zimbabwe’s international image has hit a new low, with the country’s name being used to describe a slum in Ivory Coast, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa revealed, citing a recent encounter with a Zimbabwean citizen.
According to Chamisa, a Zimbabwean businessman was taken aback during a tour in Abidjan when they stumbled upon a fishing slum community dubbed “Zimbabwe.”
The area, characterised by disorder, chaos, and filth, was a far cry from the city’s developed areas.
The tour guide, unaware of the tourist’s nationality, explained that the name “Zimbabwe” symbolised the very essence of the slum, a representation of the country’s perceived state of disarray.
Chamisa lamented that this perception persists despite Zimbabwe boasting an abundance of natural resources, including the largest lithium deposits in Africa.
He attributed this disconnect to the country’s “broken politics” and the legacy of “rigged, disputed, and illegal elections.”
“This revelation reflects the painful perception of our beloved country by others elsewhere, even from the African continent.
“This is despite Zimbabwe being home to the largest lithium deposits in Africa and many other sought-after mineral resources.
“Such a harsh reality goes to show how broken politics and rigged, disputed and illegal elections have cast a long shadow on,” Chamisa said.
The former opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader declared that “the Zimbabwean story must change.”
He envisioned a transformed narrative, one of “pride, transformation, opportunities, and prosperity.” This shift, he believes, can only be achieved through a collective effort to reclaim and redefine the nation’s image.
Chamisa dumped the CCC in January this year, barely four months after losing a disputed presidential election. He accused his rival President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his party of rigging and infiltrating his party.
His decision also came when CCC was hijacked by Sengezo Tshabangu, who claimed to be the party’s secretary general before he recalled Chamisa’s allies from Parliament and local government.
Chamisa is currently associated with a blue movement, which is fronted by Gift Siziba and Amos Chibaya, who are also victims of Tshabangu’s actions.
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