News / Local
Walter Mzembi loses UNWTO race
12 May 2017 at 12:17hrs | Views
TOURISM and Hospitality Industry minister Walter Mzembi has suffered an embarrassing defeat in the race for the secretary general's post of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
The elections where held in Madrid, Spain today.
Mzembi who had gone into the race with the backing of the African Union (AU) only managed 15 votes against 18 polled by his rival from Georgia, Zurab Pololikashvili.
The AU endorsed Mzembi at a meeting last year and had begged member countries to rally behind the candidate to enhance chances of landing the post which has eluded African nationals since the first general assembly in 1975.
The endorsement of Mzembi had begun at the Sadc level in March last year.
Mzembi had spent much of his time in the past year campaigning for the post.
During his campaign trail he was critical of Zanu PF sponsored programmes.
HOW MZEMBI LOST IN NUMBERS
Final round
The elections where held in Madrid, Spain today.
Mzembi who had gone into the race with the backing of the African Union (AU) only managed 15 votes against 18 polled by his rival from Georgia, Zurab Pololikashvili.
The AU endorsed Mzembi at a meeting last year and had begged member countries to rally behind the candidate to enhance chances of landing the post which has eluded African nationals since the first general assembly in 1975.
Mzembi had spent much of his time in the past year campaigning for the post.
During his campaign trail he was critical of Zanu PF sponsored programmes.
HOW MZEMBI LOST IN NUMBERS
Final round
- Georgia 18
- Zimbabwe 15
- First round
- Zimbabwe 11
- Georgia 8
- South Korea 7
- Brazil 4
- Colombia 3
Source - Byo24News
