Rwodzi tops cabinet performance rankings for 2025

Barbara Rwodzi has been named the overall best performing cabinet minister at the 2025 Performance Evaluation Awards.

The evaluation system, introduced in 2021 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, forms part of broader public sector reforms aimed at improving accountability and ensuring senior government officials deliver measurable results in their respective portfolios.

Rwodzi, who heads the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, secured the top spot in the rankings. She was followed by Anxious Masuka of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development in second place and Ziyambi Ziyambi of the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs in third.

Announcing the results, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya said Rwodzi's ministry recorded a 10% transformation in Zimbabwe's tourism sector during 2025.

Rwodzi recently also received continental recognition after being named Best African Tourism Minister at the ITB Berlin in 2026.

In the deputy ministers' category, Vangelis Haritatos took first place, followed by Joshua Sacco in second, while Norbert Mazungunye finished third.

Among permanent secretaries, Obert Jiri ranked first, followed by Vimbai Nyemba in second place and Albert Chimbindi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in third.