Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Senior Reporter
RUSSIA’s newly appointed Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Mr Sergei Berdnikov, yesterday paid a maiden courtesy call on First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, with discussions centred on strengthening people-to-people ties through tourism, culture, education, health and humanitarian cooperation.
Ambassador Berdnikov praised Zimbabwe’s warm hospitality and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to expanding cooperation in areas that promote cultural exchange, tourism, education and community development.
The meeting, held at Zimbabwe House in Harare, underscored the importance of fostering mutual understanding, strengthening relations between the peoples of Zimbabwe and Russia, and creating opportunities that deliver tangible benefits to the citizens of both countries.
Dr Mnangagwa warmly welcomed the Ambassador and expressed appreciation for the enduring friendship between Harare and Moscow, saying partnerships anchored on mutual respect, shared values and people-centred development were essential in improving livelihoods.
The First Lady, who is also the Environment and Tourism Patron, shared with the Ambassador her numerous humanitarian initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable communities across the country, including the disadvantaged, the downtrodden, the disabled, the aged, the sick and the weak, among others.
“In tourism, we also want to see many Russian people visiting Zimbabwe. Of course, it’s not near, but friendship is fulfilled with the movement and the exchange between the two countries. I have started the gastronomy initiative, which has now been recognised by the United Nations.
“Why not have Russia bring its dishes so we can see how you prepare them and how you eat, then we show you our dishes as well? All that will bring our people closer to each other,” she said.
On the education side, Dr Mnangagwa also thanked Russia for its exchange programmes.
“We have students in your country who are training in various disciplines. We, as Zimbabwe, thank you for taking some of our children, who are learning in your country,” she said.
“Also, the fact that they have to learn Russian first before they get into university is very good because we are saying now that the cultures must come together. We want to know what is done in Russia and Zimbabwe. We bring those cultures together so that our understanding is deepened.”
Dr Mnangagwa also commended Russia for its humanitarian support, including food assistance that has complemented the country’s efforts to strengthen food security, particularly during times of disaster.
“The development of a country is driven by all facets of life. We are in education, we are in health, and we are in business, and business drives the economy of the country.
“We are in agriculture and we are in tourism. All we are saying is that we should expand and have training for our people and exchange programmes so that we ensure food security for our country,” she said.
In an interview after meeting the First Lady, Ambassador Berdnikov, who started his duties a few weeks back, said Zimbabwe and Russia already enjoyed strong bilateral relations, with both countries now seeking to broaden cooperation beyond traditional diplomacy into economic, humanitarian and cultural partnerships.
“We have a very fruitful and positive dialogue and cooperation in the political sphere. We are looking forward to extending our economic cooperation, not only industrial cooperation, but also humanitarian cooperation,” he said.
The Ambassador said Russia was keen to promote Zimbabwe as a tourism destination while strengthening cultural exchanges that would enable citizens of both countries to better appreciate each other’s heritage.
“We would like to bring more tourists here to Zimbabwe and advocate the country as one of the tourist destinations. In the humanitarian sphere, we also would like to bring our very famous Russian culture here to enable Zimbabweans to appreciate our huge cultural heritage,” he said.
Ambassador Berdnikov said educational cooperation would remain a key pillar of the relationship, with Russia continuing to offer scholarships to Zimbabwean students to pursue higher education in Moscow in various disciplines.
“We will continue to provide scholarships for Zimbabweans to study in Moscow in various fields, obtain a high-class education and return home to put that education into practice,” he said.
The Ambassador said such initiatives provided an important platform for enhanced humanitarian cooperation between Zimbabwe and Russia.
The First Lady’s philanthropic arm, Angel of Hope Foundation, has over the years cultivated warm relations with Russia through people-centred initiatives.
In 2024, children from the Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa Children’s Home in Chiredzi participated in the BRICS Plus International Sports, Arts and Culture Festival, where they won the football tournament, using sport and cultural exchange to showcase Zimbabwean talent while strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations.
Beyond the medals and sporting achievements, Dr Mnangagwa’s intervention opened doors that many of the former street children had never imagined possible.
The latest engagement reflected a shared commitment to strengthening friendship through cultural diplomacy, educational exchanges, tourism promotion and humanitarian collaboration, reinforcing a partnership that continues to place people at the centre of bilateral relations.
