VP of UZA

[Elisabeth Valerio @PresValerio]

A valid call-out! Until #Africa hosts the tables where its future is discussed, true sovereignty remains a dream. Whoever controls the venue often controls the narrative and this has been going on for a long time. These leaders are summoned to #Russia, #USA, #Japan etc to discuss issues of their nations. It's one of the reasons why we host the annual ELISA Business summit right here in #Zimbabwe. Converging on #African soil enables us to pioneer, test and develop new ideas that can genuinely drive business growth across our continent. https://t.co/XdKg0edvdS @ElisaSummit

[Elisabeth Valerio @PresValerio]

I have noted that Government has officially announced the immediate ban on the importation and sale of secondhand clothing, as well as all night vending activities in our Central Business Districts (CBDs). While the stated goal of this policy is to restore order in urban centres and bring regulation to informal trading, it is important that we approach this issue not only with law but with empathy, common sense and realism.

Let us be honest with each other.. Places like Mupedzanhamo clothed many of our people. Sakubva Musika has been the lifeline and business hub for countless families. From Chinhoyi rank market to Masvingo, Kwekwe, Kadoma, Chegutu and all other towns across Zimbabwe - secondhand clothing and vending have sustained livelihoods for decades. To suddenly cut off these avenues without addressing the root causes is not only unfair - it’s dangerous and shortsighted.

Yes, we all want a clean, formalised, and well-regulated economy. But we must not lose sight of the fact that the majority of our Zimbabweans are surviving, not thriving. We cannot legislate away poverty. Any law that does not take into account chikonzero chaita musoro uteme is bound to push people into even more informal and unregulated spaces. We are not solving a problem - we are shifting it and likely intensifying the desperation. Poverty makes crime more likely as economically deprived people may turn to crime as a means of survival!

Our economy has not yet recovered enough to absorb the informal sector into formal employment. The unemployment rate remains high, and incomes are low. This is the reason why people turn to secondhand clothes - not because they do not love new things, but because they cannot afford them. That’s the reality. It is not a matter of choice but of necessity.

When we clamp down on informal traders without giving them alternatives, we are telling families to stop eating before we've provided a way for them to procure food. We are telling a mother to stop selling tomatoes before she finds an alternate income stream. That is not policy - that is cruelty masked as governance.

Some of our fellow legislators need to reconnect with the everyday realities of the people they represent. We can’t pretend that everyone has a job or a stable source of income. Before we criminalise survival strategies, let us ask why people are in survival mode in the first place? Why not open up avenues for the revival of our textile industries and make affordable, locally manufactured products available to the market before depriving our enterprising citizens of their livelihoods? Why not create jobs first before robbing our people of their bread and butter!

It is our duty as leaders to speak truth to power and advocate for balanced, humane policies. Let us push for gradual integration of informal traders into formal spaces - not sudden bans. Let us push for skills development, access to capital, and affordable business spaces before we criminalise vending. And most importantly, let us demand that our policies be rooted in the lives of the people, not just theories drafted in boardrooms.

We cannot keep chasing symptoms while ignoring the root causes. #Zimbabweans deserve dignity, not punishment. Let us be the kind of Government that listens, understands, and acts with compassion.

@263Chat @capitalkfm @Bulawayo24News @BusinessTimesZW @ChronicleZim @citezw @ercafrica @HeraldZimbabwe @HMetro_ @iharare @ManicaPostZim @matpulsezw @NewsDayZimbabwe @NewZimbabweCom @OpenParlyZw @SAPESTrust10 @SundayMailZim @thestandardzim @WeArePindula @ZCCinZim @Zimdaily @zimlive @zimcelebs1 @ZimEye @ZTNPrime

[Team RaMhamha @TeamRaMama]

Today, on #InternationalWorkersDay, we don’t just celebrate work - we recognise the long hours, silent struggles and quiet sacrifices of #Zimbabwean workers trying to make ends meet in a broken system. We deserve better. #AsWeBuildZW

[ATLAS @thezimatlas]

Congratulations to Nomagugu Chieza, Founder of Impilo Organics, for being part of the 2024 Eastern Region cohort of Founders! Impilo Organics aims to provide high-quality, organic products, while promoting sustainable agriculture, supporting local farmers and empowering communities to adopt healthy lifestyles.

[United Zimbabwe Alliance @uzalliance]

“Our goal is to rebuild #Zimbabwe with young, capable and ethical leadership” - Qiniso Msipa, Chairperson for #Bulawayo Province. #UZALeadership #AsWeBuildZW

[United Zimbabwe Alliance @uzalliance]

#UZA is a platform for the citizens; we are committed to championing the engagement of all people of #Zimbabwe for the protection and realisation of national #unity, #dignity, #prosperity and #justice, ensuring that every citizen is treated fairly and given an equal opportunity to succeed. Join us as we build Zimbabwe: https://t.co/KGBhsmRGH4

[United Zimbabwe Alliance @uzalliance]

Part of what we to achieve through the #UZA Community Halls is to amplify the voices of the citizens because they are often silenced. One of the main messages that we heard from the electorate is that no one wants the 2030 agenda to prosper. This is, yet again, an example of @ZANUPF_Official’s internal struggles. Our position is clear, UZA won’t get involved in this fight.

[United Zimbabwe Alliance @uzalliance]

#ZimbabweanYouth deserve more! These social abnormalities have become normal and these political issues now serve as distractions that divert our focus from the main message: the youth are the leaders of tomorrow. What ever happened to genuine #YouthEmpowerment?

[United Zimbabwe Alliance @uzalliance]

As #UZA, we stand firm in our belief that #ZimbabweanWomen have the capability to lead, shape policies and uplift communities when given the opportunity. Our very own Patriot, Ennie Gwaze, the #MashWest Women’s Wing Chair is a testament to this truth, championing the path to national prosperity. #SheLeads #Imbokodo

[United Zimbabwe Alliance @uzalliance]

The #UZA #MashWest Youth Chair, Caudy Bwanyashuro called for the youth to take ownership of their future during our Community Hall event in #Chinhoyi. UZA provides an environment that is inclusive of the youth so that they can participate in shaping the path to #NationalProsperity. #AsWeBuildZW

[United Zimbabwe Alliance @uzalliance]

The #ZimbabweanYouth are tired of empty promises. Election after election, they have voted with hope, the system only remembers them during campaigns but forgets them when it’s time for progress. It’s time for a government that delivers, not one that just governs. @uzayouth #UZA #AsWeBuildZW

[United Zimbabwe Alliance @uzalliance]

#UZA has a holistic approach to the #economic and #social challenges facing our nation. We are good stewards of our #environment, preserving our nation’s wealth for the benefit of our people. Visit our website to learn more: https://t.co/iVZ1djqTmT

[United Zimbabwe Alliance @uzalliance]

During our Community Hall event in #Chinhoyi, the #UZA President assured the citizens that UZA is very clear about what we want for the nation. We will bring a new agenda for #Zimbabwe and lead our country on the path to national prosperity.

[United Zimbabwe Alliance @uzalliance]

She carries the weight of a nation, yet her strength knows no limits. This #InternationalWomensDay, we celebrate #Zimbabwean women - mothers, leaders, #entrepreneurs and change-makers. #AsWeBuildZim #SheLeads #Imbokodo 🇿🇼

[Matebeleland Pulse @matpulsezw]

A new era for education in Matabeleland North! Gallus Academy School breaks ground in Magoli Village, Hwange, bringing quality education and jobs for locals. Aligned with NDS1, this project is set to transform lives!
���� https://t.co/HuznpTfstv

[Elisabeth Valerio @PresValerio]

#JournalismIsNotACrime! Journalists should have the freedom to report stories without fear of persecution. Why is it considered a crime only when it challenges the official narrative of those in power? The interviews conducted by Blessed Mhlanga @bbmhlanga were a rightful exercise of media freedom. This arrest sets a dangerous precedent, creating an intimidation effect on press freedom and undermining constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression in #Zimbabwe.

I can only assume that this is an attempt to suppress dissent and public discourse - both of which are fundamental elements of any #democratic society. I recognise the crucial need for social order and stability within our country, however, I don't believe that public discourse incites violence! Rather it liberates and stimulates our collective advanced thinking and it creates accountability - which safeguards the legitimacy of our national institutions.

[ATLAS @thezimatlas]

Congratulations to Courage Msimanga, Founder of #SylcouTech Holdings, for being part of the 2024 Western Region cohort of Founders! SylcouTech Holdings seeks to revolutionise the way people solve problems through the provision of tech based solutions to multiple industry problems.

[United Zimbabwe Alliance @uzalliance]

#UZA joins the rest of #Zimbabwe in commemorating the #2025NationalYouthDay. This day was established to recognise the Youths' contributions to the prosperity of the nation. It is our belief that democratic change will certainly come, only through the youth of Zimbabwe!

[Impact Stories Zimbabwe @ImpactStoriesZw]

WATCH: @PresValerio takes a dig at #Zvigananda. "We Dont Need this Mbinga Lifestyle . . . Stop Paradding Around With Our Resources". @ZANUPF_Official @cozwva @daddyhope @Hon_Kasukuwere @PresChiwenga @ChimhamhaZw @nickmangwana @dhonzamusoro007 @bbmhlanga @zimlive

[Impact Stories Zimbabwe @ImpactStoriesZw]

UZA President @PresValerio says "We are not going to get involved in this factional fight. We want to put it on record that no one wants #2030". @CdeNMaswerasei @nickmangwana @dhonzamusoro007 @CMukungunugwa @ZimInstit4Dem @ZANUPF_Official @daddyhope @CCCZimbabwe