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National Gender Forum recommendations should be implemented-Commissioner Mukahanana-Sangarwe

**ZGC Chairperson, Commissioner Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

This year’s National Gender Forum which will be held in Gwanda this Friday, will come up with recommendations which should be implemented so as to advance gender equality on a national scale.

This was revealed by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) Chairperson, Commissioner Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe, during a press conference on Tuesday.

She was speaking ahead of the 2024 National Gender Forum, where the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, will be the guest of honour.

The National Gender Forum is built upon discussions from the Provincial Forums.

“What normally happens is that out of the National Gender Forums, there are going to be recommendations to specific institutions to take action on specific issues.

“So we will take those recommendations and forward them to those institutions which are supposed to respond.

“They are going to respond at the forum but we are also going to follow up to make sure that whatever has been raised is actually implemented.

“We make sure what whatever has been raised is actually taken care of, so that when we look at the next year’s gender forum, we look back at the recommendations from the last gender forum and see whether they have been implemented, if not, then we need to take them up again,” said Commissioner Mukahanana-Sangarwe.

The theme for this year’s National Gender Forum is, “Gender, Environment, and Climate Change: Building Resilience and Sustainable Development through Gender Equality”.

The theme highlights the crucial intersection of gender issues with environmental challenges.

Commissioner Mukahanana-Sangarwe further revealed that the “ZGC had successfully conducted nine Provincial Gender Forums across the country and these were vital for collecting local insights and addressing regional gender issues, involving community members, experts and stakeholders in impactful discussions.

“Gwanda has been chosen as this year’s host as part of the ZGC’s initiative to rotate the event across all 10 provinces, in alignment with the Government’s devolution drive.

“This rotation ensures that every region engages with national gender issues.

“Gwanda’s unique climate-related challenges, including significant impacts from the El Niño-induced drought, make it a critical location for discussing the intersection of gender, environment, and climate change.”

She further added that, “the interplay between gender, environment, and climate change is profound.

“Climate change often exacerbates gender inequalities by disrupting livelihoods, increasing food insecurity, and aggravating water and energy challenges.

“Women, particularly in Zimbabwe, face heightened vulnerabilities due to their reliance on natural resources.

“Addressing these challenges through gender-sensitive approaches is essential for fostering resilience and achieving sustainable development.

“The theme underscores the urgency of integrating gender perspectives into environmental policies, especially given the impacts of the El Niño- induced drought Zimbabwe is facing.”

She added that objectives of this year’s National Gender Forum include, map environmental and climate change challenges: identify specific issues affecting Zimbabwe, understand gendered impacts: examine how environmental degradation and climate change affect men and women differently and develop recommendations: propose strategies to build resilience and promote sustainable development through gender equality.

CIMAS Health Group complementing government’s health systems

**Cimas Health Group’s Head Clinics, Dr Travolta Mushayamano speaking to journalists during a tour of their mobile clinic**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) refers to healthcare system where everyone in a country or region has access to essential healthcare services, without facing financial hardship.

Among other issues UHC seeks to ensure accessibility, affordability, equity and quality in healthcare, which is one of the aims of Government.

And with that same approach, Zimbabwe’s largest private medical aid society, health and wellness service provider, Cimas Health Group; is set to achieve this with its recently acquired state of the art mobile clinic.

Journalists had a tour of the mobile clinic at the recently held Harare Agricultural Show, as they got an appreciation of this health game changer initiative.

Cimas Health Group’s Head Clinics, Dr Travolta Mushayamano, said the initiative will take health services to the hard to reach areas of the country.

“You can be able to provide health care in the comfort of the person’s locality and really for those communities where the nearest health care facility can be kilometres away from where they stay.

“So that is the advantage of having a clinic that is on wheels and is able to do basically everything that you can find in a brick and mortar facility.

“It has the capacity to go to the communities, those hard to reach areas, so that is the plan.

“We have the Sustainable Development Goals and the main thrust there is that we should have Universal Health Coverage; so we understand that it not an assignment of the Government only. “So we come in to complement that and we should be able to reach the most peripheral parts of Zimbabwe, hardest to reach areas like Dotito, Muzarabani and go there with a clinic which is fully functional, same way you will have with a brick and mortar clinic,” said Dr Mushayamano.

He added that their mobile clinic has basically everything, including an ultra-sound scan for pregnant women.

“We have the equipment to do even minor procedures, when we visit places like mining areas where there are risks of injuries.

“The mobile clinic is registered with the Medical Aid Funders Association so what it means is that we can to be able to offer it to anyone who has a medical aid and claim from their medical aid but it also offers services on cash payment.

“So far we are trying to identify areas where you have limited capacity and the nearest health centres are quite far, like some mining areas, so we are trying to map how we are going to operate.

“We know that majority of our population lives in the rural areas so the health care data and access to health has to cover that population because that’s where most of the people are.

“So if we have more of these units, it actually helps a lot and it gives us much more quality data for reporting because really there are instances where people who are towards the borders even cross to access health care services.

“So this kind of services shall cover quite a lot of people and when we go to such hard to reach areas, we might have medical tourism from these border areas,” he said.

Dr Mushayamano added that they have plans to increase the units, but it all depends on the uptake of the service and how efficient it’s going to be.

“Initially we had actually planned to have two units, but then we decided to have one and see how it operates before expansion.”

**Cimas Health Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, Tatenda Madzikanda**, **leads journalists on a tour of the mobile clinic**

Similar sentiments were also shared by the group’s Chief Marketing Officer, Tatenda Madzikanda, who said they are complementing the health systems that have been put in place by Government as well as other private healthcare players.

“This is a new service that we are offering and that (trip to a farm in Mhondoro) was our pilot trip.

“And we intend to come up with a schedule in terms of areas that we can service, depending with the need. But definitely we know there are members that have been asking us to come up with this innovation and I trust the uptake will actually be very high.

“So this is a first in its kind for us to be doing this and I think it’s based on research and input that we have gotten from our members.

“The pilot study was very successful; we did two days and based from the feedback from the patients; they actually wanted us to come back again the other day.

“So our outreach trips are going to be structured in such a way that we spend a week at a certain place so members in that area would then know that the Cimas mobile clinic is going to be coming first week of every month or last week of every month.

“So this is what we are in the process of coming up with and we trust very soon we will be able to do that.”

ZimSmart Villages: connecting communities through innovation

**ZimSmart Villages team, at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The advancement of e-health and e-commerce has really brought innovation to communities, providing people with technological solutions in this fast paced world.

And many such innovations have bridged the technology gap and in terms of e-health, it has increased access, hence communities have healthier lives.

One such technological advancement, BatsiHealth, a ZimSmart Villages innovation, was showcased at the recently held Harare Agricultural Show.

To know more about this innovation, NewsSpace Reporter MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA (MBD), interviewed ALSANDRAH KUVAOGA (AK) Commercial Manager at ZimSmart Villages, which comprises of BatsiHealth and XMarketplace.

MBD: Who is behind BatsiHealth?

AK: BatsiHealth is one of the three pillars of ZimSmart Villages, an organisation that is leveraging technology in the provision of e-commerce and e-health mainly targeting underserved communities. This is done through the setting-up of kiosks in the communities which are access points for e-health and e-commerce.

MBD: When was it established?

AK: BatsiHealth was established in 2023 with the first Kiosk being launched this year, 2024.

MBD: What was the purpose of its establishment?

AK: Zimbabwe faces a significant burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly diabetes and hypertension. These conditions are becoming increasingly prevalent, contributing to the country’s mortality rates. Despite this growing crisis, many Zimbabweans, particularly in rural and underserved areas, lack adequate access to healthcare services, information, and resources necessary for managing these diseases effectively. The lack of access to healthcare exacerbates the plight of these communities.

BatsiHealth was born out of a vision to address these multifaceted challenges. Our story began with a simple but powerful idea – to leverage technology and community initiatives to create sustainable solutions to Zimbabwe’s pressing problems. On the other hand the e-commerce leg compliments e-health by ensuring individuals are economically self-sufficient to access services.

MBD: And how do people access BatsiHealth?

AK: To access BatsiHealth, you visit http://www.vakaafya.com or download the application on Play Store or App Store, the app name is Vakaafya BatsiHealth.

MBD: How has it been so far, how has been the reception by members of the public?

AK: BatsiHealth has been progressing steadily. The public’s response has been positive, with a growing number of people showing interest in the platform, especially in underserved communities where healthcare access has been limited. We have also been conducting outreach programs where we screen for hypertension and diabetes for free and we also provide medication for free – these have been well-received, as they offer tangible benefits to individuals in need of medical services who may not always have funds to access healthcare. We’ve seen increasing sign-ups and inquiries, which indicates that people are recognizing the value we bring in terms of accessible healthcare.

MBD: Anything you can add on the platform?

AK: BatsiHealth is designed to provide a range of healthcare services, with a strong emphasis on convenience and accessibility. The platform offers online consultations with medical professionals, allowing patients to seek advice and treatment from the comfort of their homes. In addition, we offer remote monitoring services for individuals under ongoing treatment, ensuring they receive consistent care and can track their health progress without the need for frequent in-person visits.

We have also incorporated a Buy Medicine chatbot, which streamlines the process of ordering medication online. This feature enhances convenience for patients by making it easier to get prescriptions delivered to their doorstep. The chatbot also assists in booking appointments for doctor’s consultations and laboratory tests.

Recognizing that not everyone in remote areas has access to smartphones or reliable internet, we’ve set up kiosks in those communities. These kiosks bridge the digital divide, enabling people to access healthcare services directly through the platform, regardless of their tech limitations. By doing so, we are ensuring that no one is left behind, regardless of their location or access to technology.

MBD: How was it participating at this year’s Agric Show?

AK: The Agricultural Show was an excellent opportunity for us to engage directly with the public and raise awareness about BatsiHealth. People were keen to learn about how we can bridge the gap between healthcare access and technology. The engagement was productive, as we had conversations with potential partners and individuals who are now interested in using our platform. It also got us to understand pain points more and we have since realized that while we focused on bridging the digital divide in remote areas, even in big towns it is present and we will have to work on bridging that as well.

Concerted efforts needed to end road carnage

**Tafadzwa Goliati, PAZ National Coordinato**r

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

There is need for concerted efforts if we are to come up with tangible solutions to end or reduce traffic road accidents which continue to kill or maim people, Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) National Coordinator Tafadzwa Goliati, has said.

Goliati revealed this as he said as PAZ, they applauded the Government through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, on the recent review and implementation of the Radius Based restrictions for commuter omnibus from the current 120 kms to 60 kms. “As an organization, we are also concerned on the increasing rates of road carnages on our roads.

“We feel that concerted efforts should be carried out by all concerned stakeholders to come up with tangible solutions to reduce or totally end road carnages, which continue to kill or maim citizens of the country,” said Goliati.

He also revealed that they were in support of the initiative to enforce terms of section 3 (1) of Statutory Instrument 118 of 2023, prohibiting vehicles from operating without installation of speed limiting and monitoring devices.

“Our organization also applauds the move which we feel is part of efforts to minimise carnages.

“We also wish to highlight that we feel that there are other areas which may not be accessible due to the limitation, emphasizing the need for alternative and safe public transport systems which government in our view should promote and facilitate its implementation.

“There are some long distance routes which we feel will also be affected and effective alternative modes of transportation should be availed to travellers.

“We can also cite an example of travellers, going to areas like Sanyati and Gokwe whom we feel are likely to face transport challenges since they come from far off areas.

“They are also severely affected by the poor rural road network,” said Goliati.

He added that they are also concerned on the issues of policing and urge the responsible agencies to be on top of the situation, be well equipped and to monitor corruption.

“On some of the routes, we even see passengers precariously sitting on top of speeding kombi roofs.

“This poses danger to passengers. We have seen some of these kombis ferrying passengers on roof tops, evading roadblocks or at times being left to pass through roadblocks.

“Then as an organisation, we tend to question the seriousness of policing and law enforcement if we are to minimise road carnages.

“We have on several times seen kombis carrying touts, dangling like carrots and hanging outside moving vehicles.

“This seems to have been normalised and no law enforcement is seen to be applied, something we as PAZ feel is being allowed and is dangerous to those who engage in such behaviour.

“We also have a concern on insecure and heavy loading of passengers and goods which can affect vehicle mobility,” he added.

It however remains to be seen if the new regulations will be adhered to as some commuter omnibus operators have been left to drive with impunity, engaging in dangerous acts risking the lives of other road users.

“Free Body Scan” dealers face arrest

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The Health Professions Authority Zimbabwe (HPA) and Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), will soon arrest all dealers that have been offering illegal “free body scan” services.

The sprouting of the “free body scan” service has seen several agents standing in streets, offering fliers to passers by and even sending messages in WhatsApp groups, offering their service to members of the public.

In a joint statement, HPA and MCAZ revealed that the “magnetic resonance machines are being used by unqualified and unauthorized personnel who then proceed to prescribe and sell medicines.

“In conjunction with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the two Authorities will be undertaking investigations and confiscating all such offensive equipment as well as prosecuting the persons operating the said machines illegally. “At the same time, the medicines will be confiscated (both registered and unregistered) from unlicensed persons and unlicensed premises.”

HPA and MCAZ had “noted with concern the sprouting of unauthorized use of dubious magnetic resonance machines offering a service popularly called “full body scan.”

“It has been noted that these alleged magnetic resonance machines are being used by unqualified and unauthorized personnel who then proceed to prescribe and sell medicines (both conventional and complementary) for chronic conditions to the unsuspecting public. “This poses a serious risk of misdiagnosis and mistreatment to the public.

“These acts are in contravention of several statutes. The Health Professions Act (Chapter 27:19) Section 126, stipulates that anyone who is not registered on the designated register who: for gain practices a profession or calling, pretends by any means whatsoever to be on the register or uses any name, title, description or symbol indicating or calculated to lead persons to infer that he is a member of a profession or calling of which a designated register is kept, shall be guilty of an offence liable to a fine or imprisonment or both.

“Therefore diagnosis and prescribing should only be conducted by qualified and licensed personnel.

“Selling medicines by unlicensed persons from unlicensed premises contravenes Sections 50 and 52 of the Medicines and Allied Substance Control (General) Regulations, 1991, SI 150 of 1991 as read with Section 106 of the same Regulations.

“Also, the selling of unregistered medicines is in contravention of Section 29 (1) (a) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act as read with Section 29 (1a) of the same Act,” read the statement.

It was added that, “mandated to safeguard the public, HPA and MCAZ urge the public to seek medical advice and treatment only from registered health professionals and institutions.

“These can be identified by the possession of a valid practicing certificate from the practitioner’s respective Council, a licence issued by HPA for registration of premises, and an MCAZ licence for both person and premises.

“It is an offence for an unlicensed individual to diagnose, treat, and sell medicines to the public,” further read the statement.

Chipinge Vulnerable Children Intervention Programme: a beacon of hope for the less privileged

**Luke Mugobo, CVCIP Founder and Executive Director**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

“I decided to give back to the community because I know how it is to be vulnerable, I know how it is to lack, I experienced that when I was young.”

These were the words of Luke Mugobo, the Founder and Executive Director of Chipinge Vulnerable Children Intervention Programme (CVCIP).

Despite the organisation being self-funded, Mugobo believes it is good to provide a helping hand to others in need.

And in their own small way, they have managed to give a cheer to some vulnerable people in Chipinge.

Established in 2008, the organisation has been giving assistance to those in need and they have remained determined.

“My role is to coordinate since the organisation is not yet sponsored. We don’t have donors as of now so my role is to see to it that we stay afloat and we move forward with success.

“The objective of starting this organisation was to help the vulnerable orphans, widows and the youth by aiming to empower them.

“Because the organisation is not yet funded, so far we only give food hampers to 20 old widows and we pay schools fees for only 10 primary school going orphans.

“We started this type of an organisation is order to plough back to the community. This is something that I experienced when I was young, so I thought it is high time we should now plough back to the community,” said Mugobo.

He however acknowledges that it hasn’t been easy, because without a donor or any external funding, it has limited the kind of impact they would want to make.

“Since we started it has been tough, it’s not easy to start and do these things without backing, without sponsors.

“But despite all this, the impact we have made in the community is very positive.

“Those orphans whom we are paying school fees for now have renewed joy, their self-esteem and confidence has really grown and in turn they have greatly improved in their performance.

“The old widows whom we provide with food hampers whenever do; are very appreciative. You can tell that this is going quite a long way in improving their livelihoods.

“And to the young widows and the youth; we give them psycho-social support and they have really been impacted positively because a lot has changed.

“We have positive talks like telling them to shun gender based violence, drug and substance abuse and we strongly encourage them to be self-reliant. If we get funding, we want our young mothers, young widows and the youth to be trained on sustaining projects like detergents making, cosmetology, carpentry, just all income generating projects.”

Mugobo revealed that they are looking for partners so that they can do a lot more to help the less privileged.

“We a properly registered organisation so everything is above board, hence all we do is done professionally. We need likeminded organisations to work with and collaborate on many spheres.

“We need to do exchange programmes and many can reach us on our social media platforms or better still even visit our office in Chipinge and see for themselves the work we are doing.

“We need all the necessary support so that we can do more because ever since we started, it is the management team that is funding the organisation,” said Mugobo.

He also revealed that their future plans involve expanding to other provinces of the country and currently they had been cleared to have an office in Mutoko.

“Our future plans are to make this organisation to be self-sustaining by having educational institutions and we also intend to be an agent for the Tourism Authority so that we advertise the Eastern Highlands and have visitors coming to support us.”

He added that their first exhibition at the just ended Harare Agricultural Show was quite an eye opener as they engaged with a lot of people, as some revealed plans for meaningful engagements for future collaborations.

“Many people were really impressed by our work and they encouraged us to keep working hard because they admired the vision.

“The only challenge we saw was that many people failed to access where we were stationed because of the stairs.

“So I suggest that in future, we will need to be placed where it is more accessible but as a charity organisation we are grateful because we had been given that stand for free.”

He added that they also give an opportunity to students who require attachment, something they believe is also part of giving back to the community.

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Women are vital agents of change-Commissioner Mukahanana-Sangarwe

**Zimbabwe Gender Commission Chairperson, Commissioner Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

While women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate change, they are not only victims but they are also vital agents of change, Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) Chairperson, Commissioner Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe has said.

Commissioner Mukahanana-Sangarwe added that women are also leaders in environmental conservation and sustainable development, hence they need all the support they deserve.

She was speaking at the 2024 Harare Provincial Gender Forum in Chitungwiza on Wednesday.

The Provincial Gender Forums were being held as a build up to the National Gender Forum, which is set to be held in Gwanda, Matabeleland South Province on September 13.

And the Provincial Gender Forum was being held under the theme, ”Gender, Environment and Climate Change: Building Resilience and Sustainable Development through Gender Equality”.

“In as much as women and girls bear the brunt of environment and climate change challenges, we also acknowledge that women are not only victims of environment and climate change challenges, but they are also vital agents of change.

“They are often the leaders in environmental conservation and sustainable development hence the need to also support women’s leadership in climate decision making as well as support them to develop climate resilient livelihoods,” said Commissioner Mukahanana-Sangarwe.

Commissioner Mukahanana-Sangarwe said the Provincial Gender Forum deliberated on the gendered impact of environment and climate change challenges in the country and produce policy recommendations for improving the situation.

“This year’s Provincial Gender Forum is taking place at the backdrop of the 2023/2024 farming season being declared a drought year due to the El Nino phenomenon resulting in the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Dr. E.D Mnangagwa declaring the situation a state of emergency.

“Further, we also note other worrying environment and climate change challenges ranging from environmental degradation due to illegal and irresponsible mining activities, water, land and air pollution, mounting water and sanitation challenges and wetlands disruption among many other challenges.

“This year’s theme highlights the interconnection between gender, the environment, and climate change.

“Although men and women are impacted similarly by environment and climate change, women are disproportionately affected as they rely heavily on the environment for household provision and livelihoods.

“The impact however threatens to reverse the gains made over the years in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment by further exacerbating vulnerabilities through disrupted livelihoods, increased food insecurity, and compounded water and energy challenges,” she revealed.

She added that the interconnectedness between gender, environment and climate change in Zimbabwe is complex and multifaceted.

Commissioner Mukahanana-Sangarwe revealed that by understanding these interconnected factors, we can work towards gender-equitable solutions that address the unique challenges faced by women in the context of environment and climate change through adopting gender-sensitive approaches to climate resilience and environmental sustainability.

**part of the crowd that attended the Provincial Gender Forum**

Commissioner Mukahanana-Sangarwe said some of the factors include: “Gender roles and responsibilities: women are often responsible for natural resource management, such as collecting water and firewood, and farming.

“This makes them more vulnerable to climate-related changes in weather patterns and natural resources.

“Climate change impacts: Climate change exacerbates existing environmental challenges in Zimbabwe, including droughts, floods, and soil erosion. These impacts disproportionately affect women, who have limited access to resources, technology, and decision-making power.

“Environmental degradation: Deforestation, land degradation, and water pollution affect women’s livelihoods and health, as they rely on these resources for their daily needs.

“Agriculture and food security: Women are critical to agriculture and food security in Zimbabwe. “Climate change affects crop yields, livestock productivity, and food availability, placing additional burdens on women.

“Disaster risk reduction: Women are often excluded from decision-making processes related to disaster risk reduction and management, making them more vulnerable to climate-related disasters.

“Access to resources and technology: Women have limited access to climate-resilient technologies, such as solar-powered irrigation systems, and resources like credit and extension services.

“Cultural and social norms: Societal norms and expectations can limit women’s ability to adapt to climate change, as they may be restricted from participating in decision-making processes or accessing resources.

“Policy and programming: Gender-sensitive policies and programs are essential to address the gender-environment-climate change nexus in Zimbabwe. This includes integrating gender into climate change policies, providing training and capacity-building programs for women, and supporting women’s participation in decision-making processes.”

She also revealed that as ZGC, they acknowledge the tremendous efforts by multi-sectoral stakeholders in implementing various climate action and environmental protection initiatives.

And she added that they acknowledge efforts by Government in facilitating a conducive environment towards transforming society to be more gender sensitive.

“This also includes climate change policies in particular the recent adoption of the Zimbabwe Climate Change Gender Action Plan which provides a framework for mainstreaming gender in the climate change agenda.

“However, we note the need to move from policy to practice.

“It is therefore my hope that this Provincial Gender Forum will provide a platform to interrogate further the above issues and explore mitigation and adaptation strategies.

“Key among these is harnessing indigenous knowledge systems to address the existing environment and climate change challenges,” she noted.

Three conferences for Sanganai/Hlanganani

**Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi (right) and her Deputy, Tongai Mnangagwa**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

This year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo which will be held in Bulawayo from September 12 to 14, will host three conferences, the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) Masterclass, Tourism Scholastic Conference and the Zimbabwe Investment Forum.

Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday; said “the conferences will bring together industry leaders, experts, and professionals from around the world to engage in insightful discussions, share innovative ideas, and explore the latest trends in the Tourism Industry.”

Minister Rwodzi added that the “MICE Masterclass is aimed at capacitating all stakeholders on MICE tourism promotion.

“We are bringing MICE experts from across Africa to deliberate on pertinent issues regarding MICE tourism development and growth.”

She added that this year’s expo will be bigger and better, as there will be elaborate sustainable tourism initiatives and gastronomy tourism showcase, all meant to ensure that the tourism value chain is represented at Sanganai/Hlanganani 2024.

“The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology Development, will for the first time feature Tourism Innovation Hubs.

“This initiative is aimed at supporting youth in academia and exposing their ideas to the global community. One of the key beneficiaries of this noble initiative is the production of fresh organic juices from indigenous fruits,” said Minister Rwodzi.

Minister Rwodzi also revealed that to date, 410 companies have registered to participate at the expo, while eight countries namely South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, Embassy of Iran, Angola and Nigeria, will be bringing operators from their countries.

She also revealed that 142 buyers had so far confirmed their attendance at the tourism expo.

Speed Networking – 1 DAY (12 SEPTEMBER 2024)

Speed networking at the Sanganai World Tourism Expo offers a dynamic platform for industry professionals to connect efficiently and effectively. This fast-paced format allows participants to engage in brief, focused conversations, fostering immediate connections with potential business partners, tourism stakeholders, and service providers.
Attendees can share insights, explore collaboration opportunities and discuss innovative ideas within a limited timeframe, making it an ideal setting for building relationships and expanding networks in the tourism sector.
By maximizing interactions, speed networking enhances the overall experience of the expo, promoting growth and synergy among participants. Book your meetings and make sure you are available for the meetings on time.

NETWORKING EVENTS

Buyers and Media Cocktail (12 September 2024)

The Buyers and Media Cocktail at the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is an exclusive event designed to foster networking and collaboration between industry buyers and media professionals.
The Cocktail will be held on the 12^th of September 2024. This informal gathering provides a unique opportunity for attendees to engage in meaningful conversations, share insights, and explore potential partnerships in a relaxed setting.
The focus will be on building relationships, the cocktail event encourages the exchange of ideas and experiences, ultimately enhancing the visibility of exhibitors and promoting the diverse offerings of Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.

Official Opening and Awards Ceremony

(13 September 2024)

The Official Opening and Awards Ceremony will be held on the 13^th of September 2024 at the ZITF Hall 2. The Guest of Honor to be announced in due course.

AWARDS NARRATIONS – 2024

There will be 3 winners in each category; that is the 2^nd Runner Up, 1^st Runner Up and the Winner.

The categories are:

1.Best Hotel Stand

The award is presented to a hotel facility stand that portrays the quality of product offered through excellent displays of hotel products, collateral and demonstration of product and service knowledge combined with willingness to meet customers’ needs.

2. Best Lodges Stand

The award is presented to a lodge facility stand that portrays the quality of product offered through excellent displays of the lodge’s products, collateral and demonstration of product and service knowledge combined with willingness to meet customers’ needs.
3. Best Safari Camp Stand
The award is presented to a Safari camp that portrays an authentic, eye catching and visually appealing design that captures the essence of a safari experience.

4. Best Tour Operator Stand

The award is presented to a tour operator stand that exhibits the essence of travel excitement, offering visitors a glimpse into memorable and well-organized travel experience.

5. Best Airline Stand

This award is presented to an airline stand that best portrays its commitment to innovation, customer service, safety and overall passenger experience.

6. Best Car Hire Stand

This award is presented to a stand in the car hire category that shows excellent ability to offer quality service and wide range of vehicles.

7. Best Green Tourism Stand

This award is presentedto a stand that priorities environmental sustainability and minimizes carbon footprint.

8. Best Community Based Tourism Stand

This award is presented to a stand depicting local communities’ contribution to visitor experience and tourism growth.

9. Best Rural, Culture and Heritage Stand

This award is presented to a stand depicting outstanding cultural and natural assets, community-based values, innovation and sustainability.

10. Best Sport Tourism Stand

This award is presented to a stand depicting outstanding sport activities contributing towards sports tourism.

11. Best Religious Tourism Stand

This award is presented to a stand depicting religious sites and showcasing religious events.

12. Best Public Institution Stand

The award is presented to a Public Institution stand that depicts the institutions’ core business through innovative stand displays, collateral, and quality engagement of staff through information dissemination thus demonstrating knowledge of the business represented.

13. Best Publicity Association Stand

The award is presented to a Publicity Association that shows strong tourism marketing focus of the region represented through display of collateral from relevant tourism players on their stand.

14. Best Training Institution Stand

This award is presented to a tourism and hospitality training institution stand that has been effective and innovative in show casing its programs, engaging with visitors and conveying its educational offerings.

15. Best Tourism Related Facility Stand

The Award is presented to a stand that portrays the warmth, authenticity and unique offerings appealing to travelers looking for personalized business experience and local charm.

16. Best First Time Exhibitor Stand

This award is presented to a first-time exhibitor who has shown innovation and knowledge of the tourism product and aspire to market the destination.

17. Best Provincial Stand

In the spirit of devolution, this award is presentedto the province which depicts all tourism gems in their province and also showcase tourism investment opportunities within that province.

18. Best Gastronomy Stand

This award is presented to a stand that depicts the stories and history behind traditional local recipes, emphasizing each dish’s cultural significance.

19. Best Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Stand

This award is presented to a stand that depicts provision of facilities and services for conferences, meetings, events and exhibitions.

20. Best Zimbabwe Stand

This award is presentedto a local exhibitor that would have put up an outstanding exhibition through quality and origination.

21. Best International Stand

This award is presentedto an international exhibitor that would have put up an outstanding exhibition through quality and origination.

22. Best Overall Stand

This award is presented to a stand that has depicted the best in in terms of first impression, originality, information dissemination and the overall quality presented by the personnel manning the stand despite the exhibitor category.

International arrivals up by 27 percent

**Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The first half of the year saw the country’s tourism sector demonstrating significant growth as international arrivals increased by 27 percent to 751,483 up from 592,567, compared to the same period last year, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi has said.

Minister Rwodzi added that correspondingly, tourism receipts saw a 24 percent rise, reaching US$493 million compared to US$398 million in the first half of last year.

She revealed this on Wednesday as she launched the month of September as the Tourism Month, which seeks to raise awareness on the importance of tourism.

World Tourism Day will be celebrated on September 27 under the theme, “Tourism and Peace,” and a lot of activities have been lined up in the build-up.

Minister Rwodzi said the celebrations were coming on the background of renewed global tourism recovery with Zimbabwe also experiencing significant growth over the 2023/2024 period.

“The sector continues to be a vital contributor to Zimbabwe’s economy, accounting for approximately 5.7 percent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and 3.5 percent of national employment, underscoring its pivotal role in driving economic development and job creation.

“The ongoing investment into the tourism sector coupled with improvement in the enabling infrastructure including airports and road network improvement is bound to spur Zimbabwe in achieving the USD5 billion tourism economy by 2025,” said Minister Rwodzi.

Minister Rwodzi said the World Tourism Day which has been celebrated annually on the 27^th of September since 1980, was set aside by the United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism), formerly United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), to foster awareness amongst the international community on the importance of tourism economically, socially, culturally and environmentally.

“The 1^st of September marks the beginning of the 2024 World Tourism Month.

“Among the events for the month is the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo which will be held in Bulawayo during the period 11 to 13 September.

“This event is bringing in both local and international communities to come and showcase their products. Side events will also be taking place during the period such as, MICE Master class, Tourism investment forum, Tourism scholastic, gastronomy hub, among others.

“This will be followed by a Tourism Symposium to be held at Lupane State University on 19 September, where papers will be presented on how Tourism contributes to national and global Peace.

“After the Symposium, there will be a Sport tournament on the 21^stSeptember in Gokwe Kabuyani Constituency aimed at promoting Sports Tourism.

“The Tourism Month will be concluded by the World Tourism Day Main Celebrations on the 27^th of September 2024 at Gandavaroyi Gorge, in Gokwe Gumunyu Constituency, a hidden gem in Midlands Province,” she said.

Minister Rwodzi also revealed that the main celebrations are hosted by provinces on a rotational basis.

And she also revealed that by targeting different provinces each year, the ministry’s aim is to fulfil the National Vision of leaving no place and no one behind and ensure equitable distribution of tourism resources and benefits.

MCAZ, BoMRA strengthen ties

**Richard Rukwata, MCAZ Director General (left) and Dr Seima Dijeng, BoMRA** **Chief Executive Officer**, **sign the MoU**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA), which will enhance collaborations in the field of medical products regulation, fostering mutual benefit and the sharing of expertise.

Richard Rukwata, MCAZ Director General and Dr Seima Dijeng, BoMRA Chief Executive Officer, signed the MoU on behalf of both institutions at an event on Wednesday.

The initial MoU was signed on November 23, 2020 and was for three years.

“This renewed partnership underscores the commitment of both regulatory authorities to enhance collaboration in the field of medical products regulation, fostering mutual benefit and the sharing of expertise.

“The primary objective of the MoU is to promote and develop cooperation in medical products regulatory functions within Zimbabwe and Botswana.

“The partnership will enable both authorities to collaborate on a wide range of activities, including the regulation of medical devices, detection of substandard and falsified medicines, and the advancement of biotechnology and vaccine production.

“This collaboration will facilitate the exchange of information, support capacity-building initiatives, and foster mutual understanding of each party’s regulatory standards.

“It also aligns with our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of medical products in our respective countries,” said Rukwata.

He added: “MCAZ and BoMRA are committed to working together to achieve these objectives, which will not only strengthen our regulatory frameworks but also contribute to the protection of public health in the region.”

Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament, The Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act (MASCA) [Chapter 15.03].

MCAZ is responsible for protecting public and animal health by ensuring that accessible medicines and allied substances and medical devices are safe, effective and of good quality through enforcement and adherence to standards by manufacturers and distributors.

The mandate of MCAZ is to protect public health ensuring that medicines and medical devices on the market are safe, effective, and of good quality.