Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Bureau
FIRST Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s ground-breaking initiatives in gastronomy tourism and culinary arts are once again drawing significant international acclaim. During the ongoing Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Victoria Falls, Unesco Director-General Ms Audrey Azoulay notably expressed her admiration for their transformative impact.
The Unesco chief, who arrived in Victoria Falls on Wednesday morning, was warmly welcomed by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, and the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, before being ushered into the heart of the First Lady’s culinary initiative — a bustling preparatory kitchen where traditional Zimbabwean cuisine was being prepared for delegates.
Upon arrival, Ms Azoulay was greeted with traditional applause and ululation as she entered the kitchen, where women chefs (chiefs’ wives) showcased the rich diversity of Zimbabwean dishes.
Accompanied by the two ministers and Unesco’s Ambassador to France, Dr Sekai Nzenza, the Director-General then proceeded to the main kitchen, where she witnessed first-hand how Dr Mnangagwa’s initiative is empowering women through gastronomy tourism.
The kitchen was a hive of activity, with both international and local delegates eager to sample an array of traditional dishes, including sadza, mazondo, madora, nyama (meat) dishes, and indigenous fruits, among others.
The initiative, which promotes the use of locally sourced ingredients, aligns with Unesco’s objectives of preserving biodiversity, supporting sustainable development and empowering women.
Speaking after her tour, Ms Azoulay praised the First Lady’s programme, describing it as a holistic approach that combines culinary heritage, environmental conservation and economic empowerment.
“I came this morning to Victoria Falls, very pleased to arrive for this COP15 on the wetlands, which is a very important part of our ecosystems. I had the pleasure this morning, on the occasion of this meeting, to visit a very special kitchen — a kitchen which is the initiative of the First Lady of Zimbabwe, whom I had the pleasure of meeting yesterday (Tuesday) in Harare.
“This is much more than a kitchen; it is a national initiative building on the biodiversity of the country — the vegetables, the fruits — to support local communities, especially women, who harvest these vegetables, cook them, and prepare dishes that represent the country. It is at the same time a support for community development, biodiversity conservation, and a social initiative. It is something that I see the delegates enjoying very much as they ‘taste Zimbabwe’ when they arrive at the COP. So, a fantastic initiative,” she said.
She further highlighted how the programme aligns with Unesco’s values.
“It has many common aspects with what Unesco values and promotes — first, biodiversity. I am here with the Minister of Environment, whom I also had the pleasure of meeting earlier. We need to have a better relationship with nature, take more advantage of local resources and protect them.
“This is what is being done through cuisine — through the choices we make in what we eat every day. To go back to the resources of Zimbabwe is a very big initiative. It also supports women’s empowerment and revenue generation — another key objective of Unesco. In a way, it is also an educational programme because we all need to be re-educated in how we work better with nature,” she said.
Minister Barbara Rwodzi explained that Ms Azoulay’s visit follows a meeting with the First Lady in France in May, where Dr Mnangagwa extended a special invitation for her to witness Zimbabwe’s gastronomy tourism first-hand.
“This is a follow-up on the meeting that the Director-General of Unesco had with the First Lady of Zimbabwe in France in May. The First Lady invited her to come to the country, so she is here for the Ramsar Convention. She had a special invitation from the First Lady, hence they met yesterday (Tuesday) for a one-on-one discussion on these issues,” said Minister Rwodzi.
She said Unesco is about culture and heritage, which the First Lady has championed in her efforts to revive the nation’s traditional food and other cultural practices.
“Everything that the First Lady has been doing since 2019, when she launched the gastronomy programme, speaks to Unesco’s mandate. The DG has now seen it for herself after their meeting yesterday, and she has been amazed by how practical and impactful the initiative is.
“We introduced her to the women and men participating in this programme, showing how it has economically empowered them as they sell their products to delegates at the Ramsar Convention. I think she is amazed to see that what the First Lady and the Government of Zimbabwe are doing is real — it’s changing and transforming lives,” said Minister Rwodzi.
Delegates from across the globe also expressed their admiration for the culinary showcase.
“This is my first time tasting Zimbabwean food, and I must say, the flavours are incredible,” said a delegate from China.
“What’s even more impressive is how this initiative is empowering local women while promoting sustainable food practices. It’s a model other countries should follow.”
Since its inception in 2019, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s gastronomy tourism initiative has not only revived Zimbabwe’s culinary traditions but also created economic opportunities for rural women.
By incorporating indigenous knowledge and sustainable practices, the programme has positioned Zimbabwe as a leader in cultural tourism — a fact now recognised at the highest levels of Unesco.
As the Ramsar Convention continues, the First Lady’s kitchen stands as a testament to how tradition, environmental stewardship, and women’s empowerment can come together to create a brighter future — one plate at a time.
