UZA launches election manifesto
Grace Moyo
Relatively new opposition party, United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) Friday launched its election manifesto for the harmonised 2023 election at its headquarters in Bulawayo.
The emerging party that was formed in 2019 has its manifesto centred on accountability, dignity, unity and stability as a guide to bring about a prosperous Zimbabwe.
In her address, UZA president, Elisabeth Valerio, said the manifesto is a binding promise to the people of Zimbabwe on the path to deliver an ideal Zimbabwe.
“It is not just a mere document but a promise that will guide our path for the next five years and these four overarching themes which are accountability, dignity, unity and stability will make sure we deliver the Zimbabwe that we want,” said Valerio as she pledged to tackle key issues such as the rule of law and constitutionalism, citizens’ rights, public service, local governance, electoral reforms and employment.
Valerio will be the party’s presidential candidate in the forthcoming presidential election and will challenge incumbent, President Emerson Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa, among other presidential candidates.
“It is time to make your voice heard, vote for UZA and me as your presidential candidate,” Valerio said.
She promised to improve the country’s comatose economy, revive social services, comprehensively address the land issue and heal the country’s battered image leading to international inclusion.
“The manifesto also looks at crime prevention and response, health care and social services. We want to deliver a strong economy for Zimbabwe, make sure we have infrastructure development, stability, address issues of land and environment as well as international inclusion as a country,” she said.
The UZA president said the manifesto is a sum total of the wishes of Zimbabweans as the party spent two years traversing the country to engage citizens on what they want Zimbabwe to be like.
“This document comes from you, Zimbabweans. It was followed up by a committee of 60 people who reviewed and researched the topics. Please completely embrace this document, which is a vision for the country,” she said.
“If other people looked at our country today, they wonder why we are tolerating the life that we have in this country today. We are fighting for your dignity. We want to restore the dignity of Zimbabwe and we want to make sure that our nation can once more be prosperous. We have everything we need in this country.”
“In the past two years we have done remarkable achievements as a party and political movement. We have grown from a small group of courageous individuals to a formidable force of millions of Zimbabweans,” said Valerio
Reverend Frank Mhlanga who is the party’s Vice President said individuals who formed the party appreciated the importance of democratic processes. He said, “It is important to highlight to that the executive that is here was chosen by the people as we abide by democracy,” he said.
Valerio was born in Harare, however she began her career as a scientist working in the United States, after earning several university degrees in California. She moved to Hwange, in 2014 and has spent almost a decade there honouring a promise she made to her mother who, while on her death bed, asked that she look after the Presidential Elephants in Dete, Hwange.
During her time in Hwange, Valerio has established Gobelo, a business focused on research and development of natural and indigenous consumer products. With her husband she also built Gwango, a tourism destination at the edge of Hwange National Park, with guest rooms, conference facilities, restaurants and a BaNambya Cultural Exhibit.
