face to face with female Presidential aspirant

Our reporter Wallace Ruzvidzo (WR) interviewed Presidential aspirant Elisabeth Valerio (EV) on her Presidential bid and what she has to offer, among other issues, as the Second Republic continues to usher a conducive political environment.

WR: Who is Elisabeth Valerio? (Full background)

EV: I am Elisabeth Valerio, a businesswoman, scientist, conservationist and leader of the United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA), a political party that aims to unite Zimbabweans and build a prosperous and sustainable future for our country.
Having spent most of her life as a global advocate for diversity, education and African economic development, Elisabeth Valerio is deeply honoured to be representing the United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) as a candidate for President of Zimbabwe in the 2023 general elections. As the leader of UZA, Elisabeth is no stranger to politics. Her mother was the first woman in African history to contest in a Presidential election.
Elisabeth attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and began her career as a biochemist resulting in biotech co-invention.
She moved back to Zimbabwe almost a decade ago to honour a promise she made to her mother who, while on her death bed, asked that she look after a herd of elephants in Dete (Hwange).
During her time in Hwange, Elisabeth has established several businesses, including Gobelo, a company focused on ethnobotany and the research and development of natural and indigenous consumer products. With her husband she has also built Gwango, a tourism company with multiple lodges and conference facilities at destinations throughout Zimbabwe. She is currently the Chairperson for the Association for Tourism Hwange and has spent much of her time studying the cultural history of the people of Matabeleland and Masvingo as the founder of the BaNambya Cultural Exhibit.
In addition to promoting the tourism sector in Zimbabwe, Elisabeth founded the Entrepreneurial & Leadership Initiative for Sustainability in Africa (ELISA) supporting Africa focused entrepreneurs via an online web portal and annual summit to be hosted in Hwange, Zimbabwe. She is a frequent speaker at entrepreneurial and career focused programmes and events and has played a key role in leadership training and facilitating career access for countless diverse students, educators, scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs as the Founder and President of the International Centre for Professional Development (ICPD), a US based non-profit organisation.
In 2020, Elisabeth’s work in science and conservation became overshadowed by news of a coal mine that was to be established in the heart of Hwange National Park. With tourism operators and conservationists, she authored a public statement to President Mnangagwa and championed an appeal to stop mining in the park, until eventually Zimbabwe’s cabinet announced that no mining would occur within any national park in the country. The pronouncement, however, was soon followed up with the issuance of special grants to mine for coal in nearby safari areas and other significant sites.
Out of concern for the widespread exploitation of Zimbabwe Elisabeth convened a meeting of citizens from across the country. The discussions which concluded on 29 May 2021 resulted in the formation of the United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) for which Elisabeth was elected president.
As President of UZA, Elisabeth is committed to championing citizens engagement in nation building and the full restoration of a vibrant, united and prosperous Zimbabwe.

WR: What was the major inspiration behind you wanting to run for the Presidency?

EV: I came into politics when I became painfully aware that government policies are not always aligned with business or conservation. It started out for me as a campaign to protect Hwange National Park from invasion by foreign coal miners. As I grew to understand the significance of government policies and the impact they can have on the tourism sector, I came to know that the only way to protect our wildlife and conserve the wilderness is by having a seat at the table and helping to shape the policies and priorities of the Zimbabwean government.

WR: As the only female candidate in this year’s Presidential race, how do you feel?

EV: I feel a great sense of joy for the women in our country. In this election, we have a chance to lead. I also feel a tremendous amount of responsibility as the only female candidate in this year’s Presidential race. I feel proud, honoured and humbled to have been chosen to lead our party and represent women in this race for the highest office in our country. I see it as an opportunity to inspire and empower women by breaking societal barriers and stereotypes. Additionally, I strongly believe that diverse perspectives are crucial for a well-functioning democracy and I aim to bring a unique viewpoint to the political landscape.

WR: What is your perception on the country’s judicial system especially after your court win?

EV: In my view, our country’s judicial system is a vital pillar of democracy. My recent court win reinforces my confidence in the system’s ability to uphold justice and protect the rights of individuals. However, I also acknowledges that there is always room for improvement and I am dedicated to ensuring that the judicial system remains fair, transparent and accessible to all.

WR: Can you give us a background of your party and its values?

EV: The United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) was formed on 29 May 2021. We believe in equal opportunities for all citizens, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.
For many years, Zimbabwean politics has been dominated by two major parties, the ruling Zanu-PF and the opposition party MDC/CCC. However, many Zimbabweans felt that these parties had failed to deliver on their promises, and that their politics was corrupt and divisive. It is against this background that we formed UZA, a new political party that offers a viable alternative to what we have today.
We came together as a diverse group of people, including academics, leaders from civil society, and businesspeople – and we formed the party.
Our party’s founding principles focus on the need for greater accountability and transparency in government, as well as a commitment to social justice and human rights. It also aimed to promote economic growth and job creation, and to reduce poverty and inequality. This is all properly articulated in the UZA party manifesto.
Our party respects the rights of every citizen and is committed to serving the interests of the people. Ours will be a government that is accountable, transparent and responsive to the citizens needs.

WR: What are you promising the people if they elect you into power?

EV: As President of UZA, I am offering the citizens of Zimbabwe a vision that is inclusive, progressive and sustainable for our country. Some of the key priorities that we will focus on are:
Restoring the rule of law, the separation of powers and constitutionalism; Reviving the economy and creating jobs; We want to create a good life for every Zimbabwean; We will fight corruption; We will have an accountable government that improves public service delivery and restores social protection systems. We will invest in world class education, health and industry, we will bring back the best and the brightest Zimbabweans to help rebuild our country and our economy. We will establish Zimbabwe as world leader in agriculture, tourism and tech innovation. We will strengthen regional integration and international cooperation.
Zimbabwe will become a country that is highly sought after for investment opportunities, but we will put the greatest emphasis on opportunities for our own – for our citizens.
We believe in unity of purpose as we build Zimbabwe. We believe in getting the job done and measuring our success. We believe in advancement.

WR: What are your thoughts on the prevailing peaceful political environment presently?

EV: UZA has encountered intimidation and violence already in this election, however we support a peaceful political environment and a politically plural space. I believe that a peaceful political environment allows for constructive dialogue, collaboration, and effective decision-making. It creates the foundation for progress and the implementation of policies that benefit the nation and its citizens. I’m committed to maintaining a peaceful environment and promoting unity among diverse political groups.

WR: Does your party have National Assembly and Local Authority candidates? If so in which constituencies and wards?

EV: Yes, UZA has 31 National Assembly and 128 Local Authority candidates contesting in 61 constituencies throughout our country. Our party has the highest percentage of women on the ballot when compared to other parties in the 2023 general elections. This is despite the fact that more than half of our candidates were rejected by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. We currently have 29 pending court cases in which we are appealing the rejection of our candidates.
As UZA we aim to build a strong presence and representation across the country to effectively address local issues and make a positive impact at the national level. The specific constituencies and wards where UZA candidates are running can be found on the official party website or through the relevant electoral authorities.

WR: thank you, is there anything you would like to add?

EV: UZA believes in the power of collaboration and the involvement of the people in decision-making. I encourage open dialogue, transparency, and accountability in governance. My dedication to public service and my track record of advocating for justice and equality makes me a strong candidate for the Presidency. I’m committed to leading with integrity, empathy, and a deep understanding of the needs of the people.