Minister Rwodzi Announces New Boards for Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Mosi-oa-Tunya

By Staff Writer

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, has announced the appointment of new board members for the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) and Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company, marking a significant step in strengthening governance and strategic leadership within the country’s tourism sector.

Speaking at the announcement, Minister Rwodzi said the appointments, which take effect from 31 December 2025, reflect government’s commitment to positioning tourism as a key driver of economic growth, employment creation and international engagement.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, a government parastatal, is mandated with promoting and regulating the country’s tourism industry.

Minister Rwodzi noted that the newly appointed board brings a wealth of experience and professional expertise that will be critical in providing strategic guidance and robust oversight to the authority.

“The new board will play a pivotal role in strengthening destination Zimbabwe’s promotion strategies, enhancing service delivery across the sector, and ensuring that regulatory frameworks and practices add real value to both industry players and tourists,” she said.

Seasoned leadership at the helmLeading the new ZTA board as chairperson is Mr Farai Chimba, a seasoned hotelier with extensive regional and international experience.

Mr Chimba has worked with leading global hotel brands and previously served on the Joint Tourism Technical Committee for Zambia and Zimbabwe.

He is also a former President of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe and former Vice President of the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe.

His academic and professional credentials include qualifications in tourism and hospitality, certification in property investment and development from New City, as well as studies in business international relations and political economy from the London School of Economics.

Vice Chairman – Lizzie Makwezwa who is a Hospitality Executive with 25 years of experience in leading hotels in Zimbabwe including International Brands.

Brings high level exposure in Hotel Operations, Quality Assurance and executing high level events.

Diverse expertise across the boardOther members appointed to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority board include:.

Charles Munganasa

. Charity Magutorima

.Jeffreys Manjengwa

. Gamuchirai Mangundu

.Millicent Sibongile Mombeshora

. Godfrey Pasipanodya

.Tarirai Musonza

. Napoleon Nyanhi

Additional board members are expected to be announced after some nominees were unable to attend the event.

Minister Rwodzi expressed confidence that the diversity of skills, backgrounds and professional experience represented on the board would significantly enhance ZTA’s institutional capacity.

“We are confident that this board will deliver effective, reliable and forward-looking leadership for Zimbabwe’s tourism and hospitality industry, ensuring that it continues to grow and serve the people of Zimbabwe with excellence,” she said.

The announcement comes at a time when Zimbabwe is intensifying efforts to reposition itself as a competitive and attractive global tourism destination, leveraging its natural wonders, cultural heritage and hospitality industry.

In a separate announcement, Hon. Rwodzi also unveiled the new Board Members for theMosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company (Private) Limited, the institution responsible for leading tourism infrastructure development and facilitating investment in Victoria Falls.

The appointed Board Members are:

1. Chairman – Phineas Makombe a Civil Engineer who has done various projects in the country starting from an early age of 21.

Vice Chairman – Sheila Hawa Sidambe who has been a previous Chairman of Mosi for the past 4 years with an institutional memory of the organization.

She is a Banker and an Entrepreneur with 16 years banking experience and awarded silver lending license.

A holder of Management of Business Administration, Institute of Bankers with a High National Diploma in Advanced Bank Credit Management and Investment Banking.

3. Priscila Charumbira

4. Jarawani Stragle Kangara

5. Anton Venson Kashiri

6. Sherinah Sibanda

7. Jameson Mupariwa Mukaratirwa

8. Pianos Gweme

9. Donald Simbarashe Mabhiza

10. Comfort Chinengundu

11. Gladys Chinyerere

12. Phindile Ncube

13. Rashidi Mudala (Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe representative) “We are confident that the diverse talents and expertise of the new Board will significantly enhances our capacity to achieve our goals and this will position the Company as a key driver of Tourism Infrastructure Development and Investment Facilitation across the country.

“Through the development of Tourism Facilities and related Infrastructure, the Company directly supports the Ministry’s objectives of increasing Tourist arrivals, expanding Accommodation capacity, improving Tourist experiences, attracting both Domestic and Foreign direct Investment, promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism Development, as directed in the NDS 2 that will lead the country to His Excellency, President of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s Vision of an Upper Middle Economy and Society by the year 2030.

“We extend our sincere gratitude for the great work and dedication that the previous Board at Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company (Pvt) Limited did in working tirelessly to get the Masuwe Project which commenced in 2024 with the help of Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Principals”, Minister Rwodzi explained.

The appointments of the Board Members were made in accordance with Section 194 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe as read with Section 11 of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10:31], and Section 4(1) of the Tourism Act [Chapter 14:20 ] which entails principles of sound corporate governance and efficient utilization of public funds and we followed transparent and consultative processes.