Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma in Binga
BINGA Rural District Council has celebrated its recent award as the Best Exhibiting Local Authority at the 2025 Zimbabwe Agriculture Show (ZAS), viewing it as a testament to their dedication in transforming the district into a prominent tourism hub.
The show, officially opened by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Harare, recognised Binga RDC’s exceptional display and unwavering commitment to showcasing the region’s tourism and economic potential.
In an interview with Zimpapers, Binga Environment and Social Services Executive Officer Mr Lovemore Siamuyi highlighted how the exhibition provided an ideal platform to promote Binga to a wider audience.
He emphasised the district’s largely untapped resources, which could catalyse economic growth both locally and nationally.
“Our primary goal was to promote Binga’s natural resources,” Mr Siamuyi explained.
“Binga is rich in natural assets, especially non-timber forest products, which we aimed to showcase. We also highlighted fish and kapenta from the Zambezi River.”
He further expressed ambitions to position Binga as a premier investment destination.
“We want Binga to be on the map for investors. We engaged directly with potential investors about opportunities in farming, solar energy, dairy production and irrigation schemes. Additionally, we presented a comprehensive tourism package highlighting Binga’s unique cultural heritage,” he said.
Mr Siamuyi stressed the importance of authentic representation.
“Many people are unaware of the positive aspects of Binga, so we aimed to tell our own story and showcase our true potential.”
Highlighting Binga’s economic prospects, he called on universities to undertake more research in the region.
“We targeted buyers and procurement officers by displaying products such as fish, carpentry items, honey, rosella and baobab products. We also aimed to educate shop owners who source goods from Binga about the area’s offerings. Universities play a vital role in this process— for example, the tamarind plant car project is ongoing in Binga, and further research could unlock additional opportunities,” he said.
Mr Siamuyi revealed that their overarching vision is to improve community livelihoods by harnessing local resources effectively.
“Our exhibition was comprehensive. We didn’t just display products; we wanted investors and visitors to experience them firsthand to build confidence. We will continue engaging stakeholders to ensure they recognise that these products originate from Binga. Ultimately, our goal is to establish Binga as a hub of activity and sustainable development, where communities actively participate and benefit from these abundant resources,” he concluded.
—@mthabisi_mthire
