Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi (second from left) and Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira (left), along with other guests, admire traditional dishes at the Amai’s Masvingo Provincial Cookout competitions held at Masvingo Polytechnic yesterday. 
George Maponga-Masvingo Bureau
Zimbabwe’s tourism sector continues to be one of the main anchors of the march towards Vision 2030 after the country recorded around 1,5 million arrivals in the first quarter of this year, with 70 percent being returning residents from the diaspora, highlighting the strong relationship with those living outside the country.
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Babra Rwodzi speaking yesterday at Masvingo Polytechnic during the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s provincial Traditional Cookout Competitions said Zimbabwe’s tourism industry was a significant driver of the country’s economy contributing more than 12 percent of the national gross domestic product.
“International arrivals have increased to more than 1 million during the first quarter of this year, highlighting the significant growth of the tourism industry,”she said.
Minister Rwodzi said the First Lady deserved plaudits for Zimbabwe’s rebound as a tourist destination of choice.
“We want to thank our First Lady for this cookout initiative and for being a patron who is giving us good direction that is even recognised by UN Tourism which even was forced to give us endorsement as a destination of choice,” she said.
The cookout on-test that is now an annual event is a brainchild of Amai Dr Mnangagwa which seeks to grow gastronomy tourism.
Minister Rwodzi said that since the inception of the United Nations Regional Forum on Gastronomy for Africa held last year in Victoria Falls, there has been a significant improvement in the tourism sector.
“As of July last year up to this day, we have witnessed a number of tourists that are coming from the International markets because the UN Tourism has endorsed us.
“We want our traditional foods to be marketed world-wide and very soon even our own our Air Zimbabwe will be introducing traditional meals daily,” she said.
She also highlighted that the First Lady’s traditional cookout competition had this year made new strides in promoting inclusivity by allowing people with disabilities to take part.
“Amai has this year introduced a new approach by bringing together people living with disabilities and men who can cook for their families. The idea promotes unity and inclusivity. This move also aligns with President Mnangagwa’s vision of living no one and no place behind,” said Minister Rwodzi.
Participants were challenged by Minister Rwodzi to start offering catering services at such places as hospitals, funerals and weddings, upon receiving their certificates.
The Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said the presence of a talented cohort of competitors from several spheres at this year’s provincial competition dovetailed with President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
Minister Chadzamira said the competition created a platform to learn from Masvingo’s diverse culinary traditions.
He paid homage to First Lady Amai Dr Mnangagwa for conceiving the competition which was fuelling rapid growth of Zimbabwe’s gastronomy industry creating jobs and boosting household incomes in line with Vision 2030.
Minister Chadzamira said the cookout competitions had rekindled interest in traditional grains that promoted healthy lives in line with the country’s rich traditions and culture.
Introduced by First Lady Dr Mnangagwa in 2019, the cookout competitions have promoted the country’s rich culinary heritage.
Since inception of the competitions, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has led in their implementation in collaboration with provincial authorities and other government ministries.
The national finals are scheduled for May 25. Mr Courage Chirambadare from Masvingo district emerged the winner in the people with disabilities category while Masvingo Polytechnic’s Dorcas Chikondere scooped the first prize under the students’ category .
Mr Julius Musangeya from Clevers Hotel scooped the first position under the professional chefs category.
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