Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbara Rwodzi continues to receive recognition for her leadership in the tourism sector after being named Zimbabwe’s Overall Best Performing Cabinet Minister, adding to the continental honour she recently received for her contribution to tourism development.
Hon Rwodzi was on Tuesday recognised as the Overall Best Performing Cabinet Minister under the Government’s Performance Contracting framework introduced by HE President Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Zimbabwe, in 2021. The recognition marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman Cabinet Minister to receive the top award since the framework was established to strengthen accountability, efficiency and results-oriented service delivery across Government.
The Performance Contracts Signing and Awards Ceremony, now in its sixth year, has become a key instrument for evaluating ministerial performance and ensuring that Government programmes deliver measurable outcomes aligned with national development priorities.
The latest national recognition follows closely after Hon Rwodzi was honoured at continental level after being named Tourism Minister of the Year – Africa at the PATWA International Travel Awards, held during ITB Berlin in Berlin, Germany. The award acknowledged her role in promoting Zimbabwe’s tourism brand and advancing initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector’s contribution to economic growth.
The continental honour highlighted the growing international recognition of Zimbabwe as a tourism destination, supported by the country’s unique natural and cultural attractions, including the world-renowned Victoria Falls.
Hon Rwodzi’s latest recognition at home therefore adds another layer to what has been a notable period of accolades for the tourism minister, reflecting both continental acknowledgement of Zimbabwe’s tourism drive and national recognition of her performance within Government.
Significantly, the achievement also comes during International Women’s Month, a moment that further underscores the growing impact of women in leadership and their contribution to national development as Zimbabwe continues to pursue economic growth through strategic sectors such as tourism.
