By TARIRO MASUNDA

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sterling efforts to make the country a Heritage-based Tourism and Hospitality global leader are bearing fruit as Zimbabwe will host the first United Nations Tourism Africa Gastronomy Forum.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Barbara Rwodzi said this in her recent report to Cabinet.

An exceptional exhibition of Zimbabwe’s culture and cuisine at last year’s forum that was held held in Spain led to the decision to host the event, Rwodzi said in the report.

 The three-day global tourism indaba is set to be held in Victoria Falls beginning on 26 July.

“Zimbabwe received 100 scholarships from UN Tourism, during the Forum in Spain, targeting Zimbabwean beneficiaries.

The scholarships have all been taken up by students in Culinary Departments and Schools across Zimbabwe,” said the report.

The country’s 10 provinces benefitted from the scholarships.

Rwodzi added that government has  plans to establish a Gastronomy Tourism Academy in Victoria Falls to serve Zimbabwe and Africa. 

According to the UN tourism website’s report on the 8th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism  held  in Spain the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa during her special address, emphasized  on the vital role that gastronomy tourism can play as an effective tool for development.

Mnangagwa, who is also a  committed promoter of African gastronomy, highlighted Zimbabwe’s ‘Traditional Cookout Programme’, featuring traditional cooking competitions at regional level to encourage the consumption of traditional foods, in a way to ensure a healthy living.

The initiative’s success is evident in its impact on local communities, fostering creativity, disseminating cultural knowledge, promoting inclusivity, and recognising women’s significance in cultural heritage transmission.

This transformative model seeks to extend its influence throughout Africa, celebrating diverse cultures and promoting culinary tourism.  

Gastronomy tourism is emerging as an important protector of cultural heritage, and is helping to create opportunities, including jobs, particularly in the rural areas.

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has today reassigned  three Cabinet ministers.

The three are Daniel Garwe who is now Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Wiston Chitando reverts back to be Minister of Mines and Mining Development and  Soda Zhemu  is now Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities.

Garwe was appointed in 2019 as the first Minister of the National Housing and Social Amenities.

Chitando was the local government minister while Zhemu was the Mines minister.

CABINET has adopted the second edition of a Special Report aimed at addressing the huge infrastructure and socio-economic development gaps in Binga District, Matabeleland North Province.

The report on the Implementation of Binga Development Initiatives was presented by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Lovemore Matuke.

During his weekly media briefing yesterday Information and Publicity minister Jenfan Muswere said this follows President, Emmerson Mnangagwa campaign rally promise to Binga District.

During his visit to the district last year, Mnangagwa pronounced the Binga Development Initiatives.

“The initiatives were intended to address the huge infrastructure and socio-economic development deficiencies that were evident in the District. This is in line with the National Development Strategy 1 and the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind towards the attainment of Vision 2030.”

After the rally 21 Binga Development Initiatives were identified and implementation began that was followed by an assessment from 12 to 26 November, 2023.

Areas covered during the exercise included Sizemba, Tyuunga, Nsungwale, Siabuwa, Mujere, Manjolo and Bulawayo Kraal in Binga North Constituency and Lusulu and Chuuzya in Binga South Constituency, Muswere said.

He added that projects undertaken in the district include the rehabilitation of the Lubimbi-Mswazi road and Binga Airstrip, refurbishment of  Binga District Hospital mortuary and Binga Hospital Mothers’ Shelter, establishment of Twasumpuka Community Radio Station.