Elisabeth Valerio Biography | Background | Career | Businesses | Political Career and 2023 Elections
Background
Learn about the roots and upbringing of Elisabeth Valerio, a prominent Zimbabwean politician and entrepreneur.
Elisabeth Valerio’s familial connections extend to Masvingo through her maternal lineage. In the mid-1970s, her parents managed a thriving grocery store situated at Machipisa Shopping Centre in Highfield.
Career
Discover the diverse professional journey of Elisabeth Valerio, from academia to wildlife conservation.
After completing her higher education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Elisabeth embarked on her career as a biochemist. Subsequently, she relocated to Hwange, dedicating nearly ten years to fulfilling a heartfelt promise to her late mother – safeguarding and tending to a herd of elephants in Dete.
Business Ventures
Explore Elisabeth Valerio’s entrepreneurial endeavors that contribute to both local development and conservation.
During her tenure in Hwange, Elisabeth established Gobelo, a company specializing in researching and developing natural and indigenous consumer products. In collaboration with her husband, she also founded Gwango, an alluring tourism destination situated at the fringes of Hwange National Park. This enterprise encompasses luxurious guest accommodations, conference amenities, fine dining options, and a captivating BaNambya Cultural Exhibit.
Driven by her entrepreneurial spirit, Elisabeth launched the Entrepreneurial and Leadership Initiative for Sustainability in Africa (ELISA). This initiative empowers African entrepreneurs through an innovative online platform and an annual summit held in Hwange.
Political Career and 2023 Elections
Gain insights into Elisabeth Valerio’s contributions to Zimbabwean politics and her aspirations for the 2023 elections.
Elisabeth Valerio assumed the role of interim President upon founding the United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) party on March 17, 2022. In the same year, UZA successfully fielded four candidates in council and parliamentary by-elections.
In a historic move, Elisabeth Valerio received approval from the Electoral Court in July 2023 to contest the 2023 presidential election, overcoming the setback of her papers being rejected by the Nomination Court due to a late submission.
Standing out as the sole female presidential aspirant in a competitive field of eleven candidates, including prominent figures like President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa, Elisabeth Valerio continues to break barriers.
Simultaneously, the UZA party presented a formidable presence in the election, featuring 31 National Assembly and 128 Local Authority candidates vying for positions in 61 constituencies.
Also Read:
- Nelson Chamisa Biography: Early Life | Education | Political Career | CCC | Personal Life
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