adminMaria Chiguvari
TUMELO MABANGA, 25, yesterday won the grand prize in the second edition of the Tourism Innovation Challenge held in Harare.
Mabanga shrugged off stiff competition, from nine other contestants, to pocket US$5 000, courtesy of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).
She also won US$2 500 from Technical Systems.
Simphiwe Mguni from Matabeleland South was voted first runner-up, with Masvingo’s Innocent Makonese emerging third.
Mabanga’s project, dubbed “Find And Go” and used for guest bookings, impressed the panel of judges.
“My project is simply for searching guest houses or activities and doing bookings.
“We are putting Zimbabwe on the map for both the national and international market,” Mabanga said.
“To the youths, if you have a dream, don’t limit yourself because anything is possible, just believe.
“I would like to thank God and my team for the support,” she said.
Former winner, Jeffrey Murungweni, attended the event and encouraged the finalists to continue learning.
“You don’t fail, but you learn. Never stop learning and never stop innovating because our tourism needs it,” said Murungweni.
Online Reporter