'Mugabe's throne, stop fighting for it,' says Mzembi

Cabinet ministers should stick to the duties assigned them by President Robert Mugabe rather than fighting to take over from him, Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister, Walter Mzembi, said  on Monday.

Mzembi told this to journalists after receiving a delegation led by Chief Mutoko, Phelimon Nyachoto Dahwa, who visited his offices in the capital  to "congratulate the minister on the good job" of promoting the country's tourism sector.

In response, Mzembi said he had been shocked, and humbled at the same time.

"Instead of quarrelling over who will take over from President Mugabe, we should be doing that which we were selected as cabinet ministers to do, like tourism, sport and information," said Mzembi.

"I am humbled; the chief here has challenged us to embrace domestic tourism. This is an important endorsement because it is from home. We do not call them ruins here, they are ancient cities and I can assure you that we are working around the same theme. My deputy here (Walter Kanhanga) is currently working on Altena Farm (at which the first guerrilla shots were fired in Chinhoyi)."

Mzembi said Zimbabweans should benefit from the liberation struggle history just like other nations accrued wealth from all the wars they  fought in.

"The Germans have the history of World War 1 and 11 well documented. We are done with Harare and Victoria Falls and now need to look out to other areas in our country with a very rich history that tourists would want to know about," he said.

The Tourism minister made reference to a Bible verse in the book of Prophet Isaiah; Therefore, thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.

"Zimbabwe should remain open to all and sundry in order to grow," he said.

"In 2012, the diaspora brought into the country some $1,6 billion as subsistence support and we want to move from that to investments and our children across the world should first do that before we try and sell this country as a good investment destination to foreigners. In fact, those in the diaspora should be partnering with the Chinese and all other manner of people to come and invest in the country."

Chief Mutoko extolled Mzembi's virtues and invited the minister to widen his scope to include areas like Mutoko ruins that he said could help develop rural areas.

"We have seen the job that you have done and are happy. We are happy that the President (Mugabe) appointed you, he made a good choice, you are number one," said the Chief.

"You are working well and we can see the government is working well because there is one leader now, and things are working fine."

Mzembi was presented with a gift card detailing the successes he has scored in the past year, including the hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Authority General Assembly co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia, the hosting of the second edition of the Harare Carnival and Zimbabwe's winning of the World Best Tourism Destination award for 2014.

Mugabe last month described Mzembi as "one of my best ministers" while accepting the award from a Romania based European Council for Tourism and Trade.