Rwodzi dedicates African award to Mnangagwa

Zimbabwe's Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has dedicated her Unstoppable African Minister of the Year Award to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, crediting their leadership and support for the country's growing tourism industry.

Rwodzi received the prestigious continental recognition at the Africa Agenda Forum (TAAF) and Unstoppable African Awards ceremony held in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday evening.

The award was accepted on her behalf by Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Kenya, Winpeg Moyo, who was accompanied by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Permanent Secretary Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive officer Dr George Manyaya.

In a speech delivered by Ambassador Moyo, Rwodzi described the recognition as a tribute to Zimbabwe's collective efforts to transform tourism into a major contributor to economic growth, employment creation and national development.

"I receive this recognition not merely as a personal achievement, but as an affirmation of Zimbabwe's collective efforts to reposition Tourism as a strategic driver of economic growth and national development," she said.

The minister praised Mnangagwa for prioritising tourism under the Government's Vision 2030 development agenda and the National Development Strategy.

"I therefore acknowledge the visionary leadership of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, who has placed Tourism at the centre of our economic transformation agenda," she said.

Rwodzi also paid tribute to First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, who serves as patron of the tourism and hospitality industry, for promoting Zimbabwe's cultural heritage, traditional cuisine, wildlife and tourist attractions.

She said the First Lady's initiatives had contributed to strengthening Zimbabwe's international tourism profile and showcasing the country's unique cultural identity.

The recognition comes as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to diversify its tourism offerings beyond traditional wildlife attractions and natural wonders.

Under a 13-cluster tourism development model, the Government is promoting cultural and heritage tourism, religious tourism, sports tourism, gastronomy and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism across the country's 10 provinces.

The strategy is intended to attract more international visitors, encourage investment and spread tourism-related economic opportunities to communities outside established destinations.

Zimbabwe has also received several international tourism accolades in recent years, including the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association's Destination of the Year Award for Natural Wonders at ITB Berlin in March 2025.

The country has also featured in international travel publications, including Forbes and Condé Nast Traveller, highlighting its attractions and potential as a global tourism destination.

Rwodzi said the latest recognition followed another milestone in her political career after she was named Zimbabwe's Overall Best Performing Cabinet Minister for 2025, becoming the first woman to receive the honour.

"This recognition comes at a particularly meaningful time in my journey. I was also honoured as Zimbabwe's Overall Best Performing Cabinet Minister for 2025, becoming the first woman to receive this recognition since its inception," she said.

However, she emphasised that the awards carried greater responsibility to deliver meaningful improvements in the tourism industry.

"I consider these honours a responsibility rather than a destination. They challenge us to do more, lead with purpose and demonstrate that transformative leadership can deliver tangible results for our people," Rwodzi said.

She dedicated the continental award to Zimbabweans, tourism industry workers and young African women aspiring to leadership positions.

The minister said she hoped the recognition would inspire more women across Africa to pursue leadership roles and contribute towards transforming their communities.

The award adds to Zimbabwe's efforts to raise its international tourism profile as the Government seeks to position the sector as a major source of foreign currency earnings, investment and employment.