By TellZim Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged ministers of state for provincial affairs and
devolution to consider remote areas when selecting venues for national events, saying host
communities should also benefit from the development and economic opportunities that come
with such gatherings.
Mnangagwa was speaking at Gymkana Conference Centre in Masvingo during the official
opening of the 19th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo on September
9, 2026, where he commended Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and
Devolution Ezra Chadzamira for the successful organization of the expo but also said remote
areas should be considered for their upliftment.
“When I talked to Chadzamira and asked him where we are coming to, he said Masvingo,
wabvunzwa nemudhara kuti toenda kupi tsvaka nzvimbo isina kusumuka woti tsvee kusango
kusina kana mugwagwa kana tsime kana wadaro hatirambi isu toti zvinhu ngazvichigadzigwa
ikoko (when I ask you where we are going, find a place that is underdeveloped, with no
roads; we won’t refuse to come but we will ensure development is done roads, boreholes and
electricity and schools painted),” said Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa was speaking on devolution in tourism, which the government considered.
“Under my administration, the devolution and decentralization agenda is leaving no one and
no place (pahutongi hwezanu PF hapana dunhukana nzvimbo inonzi inosarira shure kana kuti
pane nzvimbo ingazvidzwa). We are all in one country and are one family.
“The rotation of Sanganai/Hlanganani among our provinces gives practical effect to this
unwavering commitment and ensures that tourism opportunities spread throughout the
country. Back then we would only host the expo in Bulawayo, and we saw it was not good.
We should go everywhere,” said Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa, however, commended Chadzamira for his outstanding leadership in the
successful organization of the 19th edition of the expo.
“I appreciate the people of Masvingo for coming out in numbers. I do not know how
Chadzamira has managed to do this; you have challenged your counterpart in Midlands. If we
host a meeting in Midlands and he fails to exceed this, he will be removed,” said
Mnangagwa.
He also commended the tourism sector for recording increases in investment and in domestic
tourism.
“Despite various global realities, Zimbabwe is consolidating its position as one of the best
and must-visit tourist destinations. Investor confidence remains high as reflected by tourism
investment, which rose by 229 percent to US$132.3 million in the first half of 2026 compared
to US$40.2 million in the same period in 2025. Congratulations.
“Likewise, Zimbabweans are commended for the increase in domestic tourism from five
million visitors in the first half of 2025 to 6.4 million during the same period this year. It is
commendable that growth in the tourism sector has had trickle-down effects in the Creative
Cultural Industries, which contributed 8.8 percent to GDP,” he said.
In her remarks, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbra Rwodzi commended the
devolution agenda and said it allowed people from other countries to experience other parts
of Zimbabwe other than Victoria Falls.
“Devolving Sanganai is your own idea Your Excellency, in ensuring that in your vision of an
upper, middle-income society by 2030, ensuring that no one and no place is left behind. We
took Sanganai to the Eastern Highlands, and we have seen several internationals arriving in
the Eastern Highlands for the past year, particularly from India. We introduced them together
with others from various countries, to the Eastern Highlands simply because people think
Zimbabwe is all about Victoria Falls. This devolution is now telling the world we have the
Eastern Highlands, Great Zimbabwe, Kariba, and any other province involved in tourism
products,” said Rwodzi.
