Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
TOURISM and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has dedicated her Unstoppable African Minister of the Year Award to President Mnangagwa and First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, crediting their leadership and support for the development of the sector as a key pillar of economic transformation.
The recognition, received at the Africa Agenda Forum (TAAF) and Unstoppable African Awards held in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday evening comes as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to diversify its tourism products, attract international visitors and increase the sector’s contribution to national development.
The award was received on Minister Rwodzi’s behalf by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya, Her Excellency Winpeg Moyo, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Chief Executive Officer, Dr George Manyaya.
In her acceptance speech read on her behalf by the Ambassador Moyo, Minister Rwodzi said the award was not merely a personal achievement, but an affirmation of Zimbabwe’s collective efforts to reposition tourism as a strategic driver of economic growth.
“I receive this recognition not merely as a personal achievement, but as an affirmation of Zimbabwe’s collective efforts to reposition Tourism as a strategic driver of economic growth and national development.
“I therefore acknowledge the visionary leadership of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, who has placed Tourism at the centre of our economic transformation agenda, in pursuit of Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy,” she said.
She also recognised the contribution of the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, who is the Patron of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
“I also recognise the invaluable contribution of our First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, our Patron of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, whose passion for our national heritage, culture, wildlife and gastronomy continues to enrich Zimbabwe’s destination identity and strengthen our tourism narrative,” Minister Rwodzi said.
The award comes amid growing international recognition of Zimbabwe’s tourism offering, with the country named the world’s number one must-visit destination for 2025 by Forbes Magazine.
Zimbabwe also received the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association Destination of the Year Award for Natural Wonders at ITB Berlin in March 2025, while Condé Nast Traveller recognised the country among the best places to visit in 2026.
The tourism sector is increasingly being viewed as a source of investment, employment and foreign currency earnings, with Government pursuing reforms to improve destination competitiveness.
Minister Rwodzi said the country was diversifying its tourism products beyond traditional wildlife and nature-based attractions through a 13-cluster development model.
The approach seeks to promote cultural and heritage tourism, religious tourism, sports tourism, gastronomy tourism and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism across the country’s 10 provinces.
She also dedicated the award to the Government and people of Zimbabwe, tourism sector workers and young African women aspiring to leadership.
“This recognition comes at a particularly meaningful time in my journey. I was also honoured as Zimbabwe’s Overall Best Performing Cabinet Minister for 2025, becoming the first woman to receive this recognition since its inception.
“I consider these honours a responsibility rather than a destination. They challenge us to do more, lead with purpose and demonstrate that transformative leadership can deliver tangible results for our people.
“ I therefore dedicate this Unstoppable African Minister of the Year Award to the Government and people of Zimbabwe, to His Excellency the President for his unwavering commitment to national development, to the women and men working tirelessly in our Tourism sector, and, above all, to every young African woman who dares to lead, innovate and transform her community.”
