By Tichaona Katsvamutima
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, has been named Unstoppable African Cabinet Minister of the Year 2026, following a public voting process involving participants from across Africa and beyond.
According to a statement published on Facebook by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), Rwodzi received the recognition at the Unstoppable African Awards held on Saturday, October 31, at the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.
The ceremony coincided with the inaugural launch of The Africa Agenda Forum (TAAF), an initiative bringing together African leaders and other stakeholders.
Rwodzi emerged ahead of several cabinet ministers from East Africa, with Kenya’s Minister for Public Service, Geoffrey Ruku, taking first runner-up position.
Kenya’s Minister of East African Affairs, Beatrice Askul, was named second runner-up, while Uganda’s Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, finished third.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Kenya, Winpeg Moyo, accepted the award on Rwodzi’s behalf, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa, and ZTA chief executive officer, Dr George Manyaya.
In acceptance remarks delivered by Moyo, Rwodzi expressed gratitude for the recognition, describing it as an acknowledgement of Zimbabwe’s collective efforts to position tourism as a major contributor to economic growth and national development.
She credited President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration for prioritising tourism under its broader economic development agenda, particularly through the Heritage-Based Tourism Strategy.
Rwodzi also acknowledged First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, who serves as Patron of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, for her involvement in promoting Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage, traditional cuisine, wildlife and tourism attractions.
ZTA described the award as evidence of the progress being made under Mnangagwa’s tourism development agenda.
The authority said the recognition reflected Zimbabwe’s growing international tourism profile and efforts to strengthen the country’s competitiveness as a destination.
The government has increasingly promoted heritage-based tourism as part of its strategy to diversify tourism products beyond traditional attractions such as Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and Great Zimbabwe.
The recognition comes as Zimbabwe seeks to strengthen its position in Africa’s competitive tourism market and attract more international visitors.
