Zimbabwe's opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, is a seasoned politician with decades of activism behind him.

Despite his experience, many still refer to him as "mukomana" or "the young man," highlighting the significant age gap between Chamisa, 45 years old, and his main rival, the 80-year-old incumbent, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

This moniker is not only a reflection of their age difference but also a way to avoid mentioning Chamisa's name publicly in a country where human rights groups allege a brutal crackdown on dissent by the ruling party.

Chamisa, a lawyer and church pastor, leads the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the primary opposition party with a realistic chance of challenging the long-standing rule of the ZANU-PF, which has held power since the country's independence in 1980.

However, the odds are heavily stacked against the CCC. Some of its rallies have been obstructed, its members arrested and detained, and concerns about election manipulation are widespread.

Chamisa has faced such challenges before. He has been arrested multiple times for his political activism. In 2007, he was brutally beaten with truncheons and an iron bar, resulting in a five-day hospitalization. This attack was widely attributed to ruling-party supporters.

In 2021, he survived what he describes as an assassination attempt when shots were fired at his convoy. A bullet pierced the left rear seat of his car, where he usually sits.

"I'm lucky to be alive," he said.

- Ego, hits and religion -

Nelson Chamisa's political journey began when he joined the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) as a student in 1999. He rose through the ranks and assumed leadership after the passing of his mentor, Morgan Tsvangirai, in 2018.

In that same year, Chamisa came close to defeating Emmerson Mnangagwa in a closely contested election, the first following the removal of long-time ruler Robert Mugabe. He contested the election results but lost in court.

In 2021, Chamisa made a significant move by breaking away from the MDC and establishing the CCC, driven by his determination to make another bid for the country's top leadership position.

His vision for Zimbabwe centers around creating a new nation "for everyone." He pledges to address corruption, revive the economy, and end the country's international isolation.

While many voters, disillusioned by widespread poverty and soaring inflation, are rallying behind him, Chamisa faces criticism, even from within his own political camp.

"He's extremely self-confident, I think to a fault," said Nicole Beardsworth, a political analyst specialising in Zimbabwe at South Africa's University of the Witwatersrand.

Chamisa's centralised leadership style has stripped his party, commonly referred to as "triple C", of its structures.

This is rooted in fears it could be infiltrated by the ruling party.

But critics say it has weakened the CCC, causing confusion and a lack of organisation in the run-up to the vote.

Some complain Chamisa has not been vocal enough in demanding freedom for popular CCC senior official and lawmaker Job Sikhala, who has spent more than a year behind bars, and has failed to articulate an alternative vision for Zimbabwe.

Religion is a recurrent topic in Chamisa's messaging but analysts say this has alienated some in middle-class urban areas, where the party is stronger.

The word "God" appears more than 40 times in the CCC's manifesto, which includes among its top priorities "making Zimbabwe a God-loving, God-honouring and a God-fearing nation".

"God is in it" is the campaign slogan.

- Political upbringing -

Born in Masvingo, located south of the capital Harare, Nelson Chamisa pursued a well-rounded education, studying law, political science, and theology at the University of Zimbabwe.

His parents' strong emphasis on education played a pivotal role in shaping his career. During the late 1990s, Chamisa, while leading the Zimbabwe National Students Union, helped organize protests against Robert Mugabe's government, leading to the closure of colleges and universities.

Chamisa, who is married with one child, ascended through the ranks of the MDC party, holding various positions, including leader of the youth wing and party spokesman.

Known for his dynamic oratory skills infused with humor, Chamisa's speaking style contrasts sharply with the more solemn demeanor of Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In the tumultuous power-sharing government formed after the 2008 election, Chamisa became the youngest member of the cabinet, serving as the Minister of Information and Communication Technology.

"Chamisa is a very charismatic figure," said Zimbabwean scholar Brian Raftopoulos.

"But his weaknesses are lack of accountability within his own party (and) a lack of a long-term vision."