Environment Reporter

THRICE, the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Ministry witnessed new faces in its leadership, following the political winds of change that swept across the country, leading to the appointment of Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa as Zimbabwe’s President.
Having been under the hands of Engineer Walter Mzembi for many years, former Minister Edgar Mbwembwe briefly took charge of the Ministry before the current Minister Prisca Mupfumira took over.
This year, many strides were made, among them, the 800 Nyau dance groups who headlined this year’s Harare International Carnival street party as well as DRC’s Werrason performing at the Rhumba Night and Samba queens from Brazil among others on Samba Night.
Held under the theme ‘One Love – Our Unity, Our Pride’, this year’s carnival hosted 20 foreign groups with 17 countries taking part.
Burundi, Ghana, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Portugal and Trinidad and Tobago are some of the countries that participated this year.
The Sanganai/Hlanganani Tourism Expo also witnessed an increase in the number of first time exhibitors.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa has committed to supporting the tourism sector in order to help the sector contribute effectively to the growth of the economy.
This year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani Tourism Expo saw 340 exhibitors, 224 buyers and 24 media houses being part of the expo which exhibited a 44 percentage growth rate in exhibitor numbers.
After a rigorous campaign for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary-General position, Africa’s candidate to the position, Engineer Walter Mzembi succumbed to defeat, allowing Georgia’s Zurab Pololikashvili to take on the reigns from Jordan’s Taleb Rifai.
It was an election that everyone thought victory for Zimbabwe was inevitable and the loss was a blow to the nation and the continent as a whole.
On another note, the renaming of the Harare International Airport to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport was in recognition of former President Mugabe’s liberation and black empowerment efforts.
These efforts which have seen Zimbabwe becoming arguably the first African country post-independence to win back its land through a sustained Land Reform Programme that saw the allocation of agricultural plots to thousands of landless blacks who had suffered through colonial deprivation.
The last but not least milestone has been that of the National Budget that recognised the important role that the tourism industry plays in growing the economy.
Tourism players applauded the recently announced budget and described it as one that will make the destination competitive.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Patrick Chinamasa announced a US$5,1 billion budget and predicted a 4,5 percent growth in the economy.
The Finance Minister proposed an extension of the rebate of duty on capital goods imported by tourism operators for a further two years.
Government also renewed the suspension of duty on motor vehicles imported by safari operators in order to replace their ageing fleet for a further two years.
The year also ended on a great note for The Patriot with the recognition of its Senior Reporter Margaret Kamba as the Runner-Up Best Print Environmental Features Reporter 2017.
Her article ‘Medical waste: Menace to the environment’, was described by the judges as a fresh and interesting piece that captured the dilemma faced in disposal of medical waste.
The judges further described it as a fresh angle that would arouse interest on a section of waste that hardly comes to mind in day-to-day conversations on waste management in Zimbabwe.
The judges report noted that there was overwhelming response to this year’s Environment Africa/Rainbow Tourism Group Media Awards, which saw the submission of 110 entries, both from the print and electronic media.
The entries were diverse, showcasing the development strategies, plans and programmes various sectors of society are engaged in towards the maintenance and conservation of the environment.
These ranged from topics such as waste management; wetlands preservation; changing climate; deforestation; land degradation; pollution; green energy; human and wildlife conflict to issues of human survival versus environmental sustainability.
Margaret Kamba said the recognition was an honour.
Said Kamba: “I will keep praying to the Lord because He has set me apart from many and put me on a pedestal so that I can shine like a diamond.
I am grateful to my family, friends and The Zimbabwe Heritage Trust and The Patriot staff for the support in helping me realise this achievement.”
In his congratulatory message to Kamba, The Patriot Editor Professor Charles Pfukwa said Kamba is a vital cog of The Patriot and encouraged her to continue with the good work.
“May you remain the dedicated and resourceful journalist who has led and continues to lead by example,” said Professor Pfukwa.