Mzembi does Zim proud

SOME are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.
Like or hate him, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi is a mover who has justified President Mugabe’s vision in creating a stand-alone ministry for tourism.
Just about two years after being appointed minister, his presence on the local, regional and international tourism market has been felt and there is no doubt that Zimbabwe is well represented.
Last weekend Minister Mzembi was crowned African Tourism Minister of the Year at the Africa Investor Tourism Investment Awards held in South Africa.
The awards were created to showcase Africa’s opportunities and achievements in the tourism sector to the global investment community.
This is a befitting endorsement of Zimbabwe’s inroads in the tourism market in the past few years.
The awards ceremony was held at a colourful summit at Mduli Conference Centre, Skuza Camp, Kruger National Park, in Mpumalanga.
Minister Mzembi beat eight other government ministers from Zambia, Kenya, Namibia, Morocco, Uganda, South Africa, Angola and Mozambique. Zambian Tourism Minister Mrs Catherine Namugala won the prestigious award last year.
Africa Investor is a specialist investment communications firm advising governments, international organisations and business on communication strategies for capital markets and foreign direct investment in Africa and that alone speaks volumes of the level Mzembi has taken tourism to.
It also publishes Africa Investor, the leading international newsstand magazine for Africa’s investment decision-makers and maintains the Africa Investor 40 Investor’s Index.
In addition, it hosts the Ai Index Series Summit and Awards and the Africa Investor Infrastructure Projects and Awards, among others.
Minister Mzembi, who in his first year as a Government minister, manoeuvred his way into the World Tourism Organisation’s Executive Council, the Politburo of that organisation, was described by Ai as a tireless visionary.
“The minister in particular was recognised for his vision and tireless investor engagement programmes, a robust international re-engagement programme and ongoing efforts at home to boost and grow domestic tourism as a cradle on which international tourism will grow.
“He is also credited for his visionary leadership and directing the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, a parastatal under his supervision, which is also making significant inroads in luring the traditional European and American markets back to Zimbabwe,” said Ai.
The award, said Mzembi, “is a befitting endorsement of the brand, aptly captured in our brand pay-off line, ‘Zimbabwe and World of Wonders’, which we launched last year.
“It is also a welcome addition to the various accolades and recognitions that we continue to receive.”
Some people are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.
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