Online Reporter
Good afternoon and welcome to this special live coverage by our reporter, Harmony Agere and photographer, Charles Muchakagara, reporting from the heart of Pomona, where the spotlight is on a landmark event – the Geo Pomona Waste Management Presidential Luncheon.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to grace today’s event, which marks a significant milestone for the company and the nation at large.
The luncheon will be hosted at Geo Pomona’s newly completed five-star restaurant, a state-of-the-art facility that reflects both innovation and commitment to sustainable development.
Adding to the day’s significance, the President will officially commission the restaurant, which not only supports local communities through corporate social responsibility initiatives but also aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader goals of promoting environmental tourism and gastronomy.
The facility boasts elegant dining rooms, a modern bar, ablution facilities, and restrooms, setting a high standard for eco-friendly infrastructure.
This new restaurant is part of the larger waste-to-energy project, a groundbreaking initiative by Geo Pomona that combines environmental management with energy production.
Over the past months, the company has completed essential infrastructure, including a weighbridge, hazardous waste landfill, encapsulation unit, water treatment plant, fleet service centre, and sorting plant. Another ambitious step is underway – the construction of an 18–22 megawatt power plant, which promises to boost Zimbabwe’s energy capacity.
Stay tuned as Harmony and Charles bring you detailed updates, interviews, and visuals from this momentous occasion.
Minister Rwodzi gives thumbs up to Geo Pomona restaurant
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has praised the newly completed restaurant at the Geo Pomona Waste Management site, describing it as a key driver of green tourism and community engagement.
Speaking after touring the facility recently, Minister Rwodzi said the restaurant is part of a broader transformation of the former dumpsite into a modern tourism destination anchored on sustainability.
“The facility itself is actually a tourism site. It’s a tourism destination,” she said.
She noted that the integration of leisure, business and environmental management aligns with global tourism trends being promoted by UN Tourism.
The restaurant, which complements sports and recreational amenities at the site, is already attracting visitors from across the region and beyond.
“We are seeing many people coming from the region… and from the north,” she said, adding that visitors are combining business with dining experiences at the facility.
Minister Rwodzi also commended the project’s community impact, highlighting its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
“It’s an exchange between them and the community,” she said, referring to how locals benefit from the amenities.
The restaurant forms part of the wider Pomona waste-to-energy project, which is transforming waste into electricity while promoting environmental sustainability and tourism innovation in Harare.
Geo Pomona waste-to-energy project driving sustainable innovation in Harare
The Geo Pomona Waste Management waste-to-energy project marks a major milestone in Zimbabwe’s transition to sustainable urban development, transforming the former dumpsite in Harare into a modern environmental and energy hub.
For years, the Pomona site served as the capital’s main waste disposal area, but growing volumes of refuse and environmental concerns created the need for a long-term solution.
The establishment of the project has ushered in a new era focused on efficiency, environmental protection and innovation.
In 2022, the Harare City Council partnered with Geogenix BV to develop the facility under a public-private partnership model.
The project is being implemented by Geo Pomona Waste Management, which is spearheading operations on the ground.
The plant is designed to process up to 1,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, converting it into between 16 and 22 megawatts of electricity.
This contributes to the national grid through the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, helping to ease energy challenges while promoting cleaner cities.
Beyond energy generation, the project has expanded into a broader ecosystem that includes community-focused amenities, environmental education and tourism-related facilities.
It reflects a growing commitment to a circular economy, where waste is transformed into valuable resources.
As it continues to evolve, the Geo Pomona project stands as a model of how innovative infrastructure can drive environmental sustainability, economic growth and improved quality of life for communities.
Carnival atmosphere as Zimbabweans converge for Geo Pomona Presidential luncheon
A vibrant, carnival-like atmosphere has engulfed the Geo Pomona Waste Management waste-to-energy facility in Pomona, where President Mnangagwa is expected to headline a high-profile luncheon marking the official opening of the company’s five-star restaurant.
Zimbabweans from all walks of life have thronged the venue, including Cabinet ministers and senior Government officials, creating a lively mix of colour and conversation.
The air is filled with excitement as dignitaries mingle, exchanging warm greetings, laughter and animated chats ahead of the President’s arrival.
In a striking twist of history, the same site—once a dumpsite teeming with flies, pungent odours and scavengers—has been transformed into a modern hub of elegance and innovation.
Today, the unpleasant sights and smells of the past have vanished, replaced by state-of-the-art facilities that symbolise renewal and progress.
The newly built restaurant stands as a centrepiece of this transformation, embodying a blend of environmental sustainability and hospitality excellence.
Delegates are now taking their seats, with all eyes fixed on the imminent arrival of President Mnangagwa, whose presence is set to officially usher in yet another milestone at the rapidly evolving Geo Pomona project.
President Mnangagwa arrives
President Mnangagwa has arrived for the Geo Pomona Waste Management Presidential Luncheon, where he is expected to commission a newly completed state-of-the-art restaurant at the facility.
Upon his arrival, the President toured various completed units at the waste-to-energy project, gaining an appreciation of the progress made at the site.
The visit also took a lighter turn as President Mnangagwa engaged in a playful kick-about at the facility’s sporting grounds alongside Geo Pomona Chief Executive Officer Dr Dilesh Nguwaya, Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi, and the Geo Pomona football team.
Following the tour and recreational interaction, the President proceeded to a briefing session before joining delegates for the luncheon inside the newly built restaurant.
President Mnangagwa’s visit marks another milestone in the development of the Geo Pomona project.
He has previously presided over several key phases at the site, including the groundbreaking ceremony, the official opening of the sorting plant, and the commissioning of refuse collection trucks and related equipment.
The luncheon and commissioning of the restaurant further highlight the transformation of the facility into a multi-functional hub combining waste management, energy production, and community amenities.
Geo Pomona a model for community-led tourism transformation: Minister Rwodzi
In her remarks before introducing the President, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi said such initiatives were in tandem with Zimbabwe’s vision of achieving upper-middle-class economic status by 2030.
She said the country’s tourism sector is witnessing unprecedented growth on the back of projects such as the Geo Pomona facility.
“The long term growth of tourism is in our communities.
“Here is an example of this transformation, a place that used to be a dumpsite now transformed into a recreational facility for tourism,” said the Minister.
Minister Rwodzi said Geo Pomona’s actions would help boost domestic tourism, fulfilling President Mnangagwa’s directive to promote its growth.
‘The Geo Pomona restaurant is a positive step towards the realisation of the waste-to-energy project’
Geo Pomona Waste Management CEO and Executive Chairman Dr Dilesh Nguwaya says the construction of the restaurant is a a posetive step in the realisation of the waste-to-energy project.
Speaking at the Presidential Luncheon hosted by the company, Dr Nguwaya said the company had come a long way in transforming the dumpsite into a modern recycling facility.
He said the restaurant represents both corporate social responsibility and environmental tourism.
“This demonstrates our commitment to sustainable waste solutions, environmental protection and promotion of public health,” he said.
Geo Pomona Restaurant a testament of national development philosophy: President Mnangagwa
President Mnangagwa has hailed the Geo Pomona Restaurant as a powerful symbol of Zimbabwe’s development trajectory, describing it as a reflection of the country’s national vision and philosophy.
In his keynote address, the President expressed admiration for the rapid transformation at the site, noting that it aligns with the country’s broader economic goals.
“It is my pleasure to be back here at this place following my previous visit last time,” he said.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to the management for inviting both myself and my Government.
I am truly impressed by the remarkable pace of development demonstrated here.”
President Mnangagwa said the progress at Geo Pomona mirrors national aspirations under key policy frameworks.
“The progress we are witnessing today clearly reflects the ongoing efforts toward achieving the goals set out in NDS2 and Vision 2030,” he added.
He described the restaurant and its surrounding infrastructure as a bold and transformative initiative.
“This initiative represents a bold step into new and uncharted territory,” he said.
“The infrastructure before us stands as a powerful testament to our national development philosophy, Nyika Inovakwa nevene vayo.”
The Head of State also underscored the importance of inclusivity and replication of such projects across the country.
“I also look forward to seeing greater inclusivity in this project, ensuring that other local councils can benefit from such innovation,” he said.
Highlighting the project’s socio-economic impact, President Mnangagwa pointed to its contribution to employment creation and sectoral growth.
“This restaurant stands as a symbol of progress within our tourism and hospitality sector, highlighting our journey toward modernisation and job creation, growing employment from just six individuals to an impressive 1,200,” he said.
The Geo Pomona development continues to gain prominence as a flagship project showcasing Zimbabwe’s commitment to innovation, infrastructure development, and inclusive economic growth.
