AN OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF ZIMBABWE

Cde Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa

From: Chiyedzo Josiah Dimbo, Ambassador of Hope

RE: CALL FOR A NATIONAL WEEK OF MOURNING FOR THE LAKE KARIBA FERRY TRAGEDY

Your Excellency, Cde President,

I write to you not as a politician but as a son of this soil, carrying in my heart the weight of a nation’s tears.

When the first news from Kariba reached us, we dared to hope that the waters would give back our people. The count stood at 11. We prayed, with trembling hearts, that it would not rise. But it did. Today, 94 precious souls have now been confirmed lost to the Zambezi.

In the hush that has fallen over Lake Kariba, many families still wait by their doors, listening for footsteps that may never come.

Your Excellency, this is not a number. These were beloved mothers and fathers, children and grandparents, breadwinners, and dreamers. From Zambezi to Limpopo, Zimbabwe is weeping.

I deeply applaud your compassionate and decisive action in declaring this tragedy a “National Disaster.”” In that declaration, I saw leadership. I saw a President willing to stand with his people in their hour of darkness. It gave hope that the government and partners would fully mobilise to bring aid to the bereaved, support the survivors, and continue the recovery efforts.

But, Your Excellency, grief of this magnitude cannot be absorbed in a day. It must be carried by a whole nation, together.

I therefore humbly request that you declare seven days of National Mourning.

During this week:

1. Let the National Flag fly at half-mast at every government building, every mission abroad, and every public institution — so all who see it will know that Zimbabwe honours her fallen.
2. Let churches and faith communities be called to lift one united voice of prayer for the 94 and for those they leave behind.
3. Let entertainment and celebration be scaled down so that the sound of a nation’s sorrow is heard and held.
4. Let psychosocial support services be coordinated across every province to hold the hands of the grieving and to bring comfort to survivors and children who have been orphaned, especially the surviving child of the Maruza family in Mola.

Your Excellency, this request is not without precedent. When the earth shook in Sichuan, China, three days of national mourning were declared. When Kenya buried victims of the Westgate attack, the nation paused as one. When MV Nyerere capsized on Lake Victoria, Tanzania declared four days of national mourning. After 9/11, the United States turned to God in national prayer and remembrance.

In each of those moments, the loss was felt by the whole nation — and the whole nation was given time to heal. Zimbabwe deserves no less.

We take comfort in Psalm 34:18: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

And in 2 Corinthians 1:3–4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Your Excellency, the world is watching how we mourn. But more than the world, our children are watching. They will remember whether Zimbabwe paused to honour those who perished on the waters of Kariba.

A National Week of Mourning will send a message that every life matters, that every soul is precious, and that in Zimbabwe, nobody grieves alone.

May Psalm 147:3 be our prayer: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

And may we hold to Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Your Excellency, your leadership in this hour of sorrow will be remembered not only for the decisions you make but for the compassion you show. You have already acted. Now grant us this sacred moment to mourn together, to pray together, and to stand together as One Zimbabwe.

May the souls of the 94 departed rest in eternal peace.

May God give you wisdom, strength, and comfort as you lead this nation through this valley of sorrow.

I remain,
Your humble servant in service to the nation.

Chiyedzo Josiah Dimbo, Ambassador of Hope