“Just as despair seemed to settle in, Tawanda Moyo returned from Harare. He had been studying leadership and public speaking, where he encountered Aristotle’s timeless principles of persuasion—Ethos (credibility), Pathos (emotion), and Logos (logic).“
A Village in Crisis
In the heart of Zimbabwe, nestled between the granite hills of Mutoko and the thundering Nyamuzizi Falls, lay the quiet village of Chikomo. Though blessed with natural beauty and heritage, it was plagued by something far more corrosive than drought—division.
Petty disputes over land boundaries, water rights, and long-standing family grudges had slowly fractured the once-vibrant community. Even the majestic rock paintings—silent witnesses of a glorious past—seemed to lose their splendor under the shadow of conflict.
When the rains failed one year and hunger crept in, the cracks widened. Hope was fading.
The Return of a Son with a Vision
Just as despair seemed to settle in, Tawanda Moyo returned from Harare. He had been studying leadership and public speaking, where he encountered Aristotle’s timeless principles of persuasion—Ethos (credibility), Pathos (emotion), and Logos (logic).
He was young, idealistic, and determined. But to the elders of Chikomo, he was still the barefoot boy who once herded goats and played in the dust. Some remembered changing his nappies.
So, when Tawanda called for a village dare (gathering) under the ancient msasa tree one scorching Friday afternoon, skepticism filled the air.
Ethos: Credibility Rooted in Humility
Tawanda began with Ethos—establishing trust.
“I am your son, born of this soil, raised on your wisdom. I have no riches, only my love for Chikomo and my desire to see us rise together.”
His words were raw and genuine. He didn’t preach. He connected.
The crowd, once restless, fell silent. He was no longer the boy they dismissed. In that moment, he stood on the solid ground of shared identity and ethical conviction.
Pathos: Awakening the Heart
Then came Pathos—he spoke to their hearts.
“Do you remember when our children played by the river without fear? When no family went to bed hungry? Look at us now—divided, struggling. My heart aches to see Gogo Nyasha’s granary empty and Baba Chivhayo’s cattle dying of thirst.”
The atmosphere shifted. A stillness fell. Eyes welled up.
His passion broke through their indifference. The pain he described wasn’t abstract—it was their pain. His voice became their conscience. Selfishness melted. Unity began to form.
Logos: A Plan That Made Sense
Finally, he invoked Logos—logic and reason.
“If we clear the old canal together, we can bring water back to our fields. If each family contributes just two days of work, we will finish in a month. The math is simple: 50 families × 2 days = 100 days of labor—enough to finish before the rains return.”
It was practical. Achievable. Smart.
Even the most skeptical elders nodded in agreement. Tawanda didn’t just inspire hope—he presented a clear way forward.
A Community Reborn
By the end of his speech, something remarkable happened—the entire village stood and applauded. That day, they made a pact to set aside their differences and rebuild the canal together.
When the rains finally came, water flowed through every field in Chikomo. Hunger subsided. So did the grudges.
Tawanda’s name was etched into their hearts—not as the goat-herder—but as the young man who united a village.
The Power of Communication: Ethos, Pathos, Logos
Tawanda’s speech became legendary not because he shouted the loudest, but because he understood the art of influence:
- Ethos made them trust him.
- Pathos made them feel.
- Logos made them believe.
More from Africa News 24
The story of Tefo Morapeli, the outcast who became the destiny helper – By Ted Msipa (PhD)
He didn’t need a title. He didn’t wait for permission.
He simply rose to the occasion, and his courage became contagious.
Your Turn to Rise
Maybe you’re reading this with a stirring in your heart.
You see things falling apart around you—your family, your community, your nation.
And yet you wait. You keep quiet. But here’s the truth:
Evil thrives when good men stay silent.
It’s not about being the Chief, the Councilor, or the CEO. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone. About letting your passion be stronger than your fear.
Let Tawanda’s story inspire your own.
Get up. Speak up. Lead. Influence.
Follow Christ—the Ultimate Leader—and others will follow you.
May the leader in you rise to conquer?
May your voice amplify justice?
May you become the difference your world is waiting for?
Dr Ted Msipa is Pastor, Author, Visionary, Entrepreneur and Public Speaker based in Maseru, Lesotho. He is a leading voice in leadership, personnel development, organisational thinking, transformational leader and people builder in sub-Sahara Africa and Beyond. He writes here in his personal capacity and views shared here do not necessarily reflect those of Africa News 24. Dr Ted can be reached on Coachted117@gmail.com or on +266 63177309.
