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Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa and First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa are set to be honoured by the United Nations Tourism for their exceptional contributions in championing gastronomy tourism not only in Zimbabwe but the African continent at large.
UN Tourism is a specialised agency of the UN, which promotes responsible, sustainable and universally-accessible tourism experiences.
Both the President and First Lady will be conferred with the honour at the UN’s Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism to be held in Victoria Falls from July 26 to July 28.
In a post-Cabinet media briefing last night, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said President Mnangagwa will officially open the three-day event.
“His Excellency the President and the First lady, Dr A Mnangagwa, will be honoured by UN Tourism for their outstanding achievements in driving the Gastronomy Tourism Initiative in Zimbabwe and Africa at large
“The first United Nations Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism will be held in Zimbabwe from July 26 to 28, 2024, at the Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls.
“The main objectives of the Tourism Forum are to promote cultural heritage, celebrate the diverse culinary traditions, and elevate the role of gastronomy in African tourism. His Excellency the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa, will officially open the event and deliver the Keynote Address,” he said.
Dr Muswere said Cabinet had been apprised on preparations for the event by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi. Participants will be drawn from the SADC region and beyond.
UN Tourism (2023) statistics show that tour- ism generated US$1,4 trillion revenue globally, whilst expenditure on food-related activities is estimated to account for 40 percent of the global tourism
Meanwhile, Cabinet received a report on the Tripartite Summit of the Techobanine Port
Project and Limpopo Railway Line, which was attended by President Mnangagwa in Mozambique last week expenditure.
The report was presented by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Profes- sor Amon Murwira, as the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
“His Excellency the President, Dr ED Mnan- gagwa, attended the historic Tripartite Summit on the development of the Deep-Sea Port and Heavy Haul Traffic Railway Line at the Mali
bangalala Bay Resort in Mozambique on July 12, 2024, at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Mozambique, His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi.
“The President of the Republic of Botswana, His Excellency Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, also attended the Summit,” said Dr Muswere.
The Porta Techobanine project will enhance the integration and interconnectivity of trans- port systems in the three countries and the region at large, as well as facilitate trade and the free movement of people and goods.
The three Heads of State agreed to collaborate on the utilisation of the existing transport infrastructure in the three countries, and to undertake a comprehensive assessment of railway lines, to intensify areas for collaborative intervention.
The leaders signed the Declaration on the Development of the Ponta Techobanine Project and reaffirmed the commitment of their respective countries to implement the project, as well as work on modalities to improve the existing railway line in order to improve efficiency.
“In his address, His Excellency the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa, emphasised the importance of the project in furthering the National Development Strategy 1, Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The President further underscored that the project will facilitate investments in the three countries’ mining, transport and related industries,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also took the opportunity to apprise his counterparts on Zimbabwe’s ongoing preparations for the upcoming 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held next month in Harare.
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