Vangelis Peter Haritatos (born 8 April 1986) is a Zimbabwean businessman and politician who has served as Deputy Minister for Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement and a Member of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe for Muzvezve since 2018. Haritatos is a member of the ruling ZANU–PF and his father, Peter Haritatos, was previously an MP for the same party.[1]
Vangelis Haritatos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Deputy Minister for Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement | |
| Assumed office 11 September 2018 | |
| President | Emmerson Mnangagwa |
| Preceded by | Davis Marapira |
| Member of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe | |
| Assumed office 5 September 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Peter Haritatos |
| Constituency | Muzvezve |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Vangelis Peter Haritatos 8 April 1986 Kwekwe, Zimbabwe |
| Political party | ZANU–PF |
| Relations | Peter Haritatos (father) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Kadoma |
| Alma mater | John Cabot University Kansas State University |
Early life and education
editHaritatos was born on 8 April 1986 at the Redcliffe Medical Centre in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe. His father emigrated from Greece in the 1950s. He attended Eiffel Flats Primary School, Jameson High School and Harare International School. He studied at the John Cabot University in Italy, majoring in international affairs and international business. During the same period, he fulfilled a joint programme with the University of Wales. He graduated from Kansas State University in the United States in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and a Bachelor of Science degree in economics. Haritatos also studied for a degree in business administration.[2]
Political career
editHaritatos has been a member of the ZANU–PF since 2002 and has been involved with the party's youth league. He was made the district youth secretary for transport of ward 13 of the now-defunct Mhondoro constituency in 2007. In 2008, he was named the deputy youth secretary of lands of the Mashonaland West Province as he became part of the provincial committee. He was promoted to the post of provincial youth finance secretary in 2009 and served in the post until 2013.[2]
In 2018, his father Peter, incumbent MP for Muzvezve, decided against running for re-election and Haritatos was chosen as the ZANU–PF candidate, winning in a landslide on 30 July 2018.[3][4] He was sworn in as a Member of Parliament on 5 September and was selected as the Deputy Minister for Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement on 11 September by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.[1][5]
Haritatos was re-elected as MP for Muzvezve with 72% of the vote in the 2023 general election.[6] He was reappointed as Deputy Minister for Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement by president Mnangagwa.[7]
Personal life
editHaritatos resides in Kadoma with his wife and children. He formerly ran a bakery and confectionery shop.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Kampouris, Nick (24 September 2018). "Greek From Kefalonia a Rising Star in Zimbabwe's Politics". world.greekreporter.com. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Haritatos: Born for servant leadership". Herald Zimbabwe. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ "Zanu-PF's white MP to step down". Bulawayo24. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ "Newly elected Mhangura MP basks in glory". Herald Zimbabwe. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
Cde Vangels Peter Haritatos polled 23 833 votes to lead Zanu-PF in the Muzvezve constituency where he defeated eight other contestants.
- ^ "Zimbabwe parliament sworn in after Zanu-PF victory". News24. 5 September 2018.
- ^ "Zanu PF regains lost ground in Mash West". The Herald. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "Mnangagwa names his new cabinet after controversial election win". Zimbabwe News Now. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.