Carnival: Zim’s time to shine

South Africa had their chance to shine during the 2010 World Cup and this time around, with the initiative by ZTA to introduce our very own annual carnival in 2013, the ball is now in our court but is the nation ready to host the world and do we have what it takes to maximise on the grand fête?
In order for the nation to fully exploit this innovation, it is important to have a thorough appreciation of such a festival.
What does it mean to the ordinary individuals?
Tendai Garwe an accountant with a local firm said he was not aware of the significance of a carnival in our country.
He said, “I am not well versed in that subject but with the little that I know of a carnival, I see them as more or less a circus. Dancers and clowns go about the streets entertaining revellers. The flow of traffic is disturbed and business comes to a standstill. I do not see how that is good for our economy”.
Speaking on the sidelines of last week’s presentation launch of the 2013 sun shine city carnival ZTA spokes person Solomon Chidzidzi pointed out how our society can be transformed.
“This is an opportunity for our local people to make something out of the extravaganza. They need to be innovative and come up with ways in which they may profit. It should not be limited to the corporate world but everyone has a role to play. It is an international platform at your disposal so people are free to showcase and even engage in carnival related business because it is an industry on its own” he said.
Tracey Sibanda a Sales and Marketing Manager with Silver Spur shared how an event like this can improve the livelihood of people in our country.
“When we are faced with such a festival and there is an influx of tourists, local businesses are bound to improve their products and services to cater for the foreigners. As players in the catering field, we will not only improve available products but introduce new ones in an effort to meet international standards. Take South Africa for instance; they reconstructed their country in preparation for 2010 World Cup. Two years later their country is now on another level. Businesses are going to grow and we will definitely market local businesses to the foreign markets,” she said.
Sibanda also reiterated the need to ensure that we create a conducive environment for all we need to make sure the country is safe before we can attract the tourists to our country.
“We need to make sure that our country’s security is tight to avoid unpleasant experiences for both local and international tourists.
The spotlight is on us so we need to make it count.
Miss tourism universe 2011 also shared with Saturday lifestyle about her experience at the Seychelles’ carnival she attended under ZTA in March last year.
“The carnival was a showcase of the rich Seychelles culture. The local people would dress up in bright colours and masks parading with their symbolic Creole flowers around their necks and drinking their coconut drinks.
The local people would stand along the road in support of the carnival. It would also be used as an opportunity to interact in the lively atmosphere there by creating unity,” she said
Morgan also encouraged the local people to use such an event to exhibit the Zimbabwean culture as well.
“Zimbabwe has a lot to offer and I feel that we can use such an event to promote our culture.
Traditional dancers and cultural enthusiasts should come in their numbers and proudly masquerade to the world what we are made of. It might be the Muchongoyo or Mbakumba dances, that is who we are so let’s give it to the world. It is exciting and if we work together we can make it a memorable annual procession.” She said.