THE Office of the Accountant-General has hailed Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Barbra Rwodzi following the transformation of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), citing the authority’s successful hosting of its first-ever annual general meeting (AGM) as evidence of a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability and sound corporate governance.
The Accountant General applauded Rwodzi, the board and management for steering the authority through a period of extensive reforms that have culminated in full compliance with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and the convening of the landmark AGM.
In a congratulatory message, the Accountant-General said ZTA’s successful convening of the AGM reflected a new era of accountability and responsible stewardship within the authority.
“Your timely compliance with statutory obligations reflects a strong commitment to good corporate governance, transparency and accountability in the management of public resources,” the message said.
“It is a demonstration of responsible leadership and sound financial stewardship that strengthens public trust in the authority.”
The Accountant General further commended the board, management and finance team for ensuring full compliance with PFMA requirements.
“We commend the collective effort and professionalism displayed in ensuring that all PFMA requirements were met.
“This achievement sets a commendable standard for other public entities and contributes to the broader national agenda of strengthening public sector accountability and performance.”
- Zimbabwe to host elephant summit
- Corruption watch: Who needs elections, anyway?
- Zimbabwe to host elephant summit
- Corruption watch: Who needs elections, anyway?
Keep Reading
The commendation comes as ZTA continues to reap the benefits of a Cabinet-directed restructuring exercise which Rwodzi is spearheading.
The reforms ushered in a forensic audit and a comprehensive governance renewal programme aimed at restoring confidence and strengthening institutional effectiveness.
For nearly two years, the authority operated without a substantive board and chief executive officer.
In January this year, Rwodzi appointed a 10-member board chaired by renowned hotelier Farai Chimba, bringing together a diverse range of expertise from the tourism and business sectors.
The board subsequently oversaw the recruitment of substantive chief executive officer George Manyaya, completing a key phase of the authority’s governance renewal process.
The tourism industry’s private sector leadership also welcomed the development, describing it as a major confidence booster for the sector.
Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe acting chief executive officer Chris Mugaga said the reforms and successful AGM signalled positive developments ahead for the tourism industry.
“These are warning shots of something positive coming and I want to applaud the ZTA leadership and the minister,” he said.
“Such developments bring confidence to the industry and demonstrate a serious commitment to accountability and good governance.”
In remarks read on her behalf by permanent secretary Takaruza Munyanyiwa, Rwodzi described the AGM as a defining moment in the authority’s history.
“The convening of this first-ever annual general meeting is more than a statutory requirement; it is a demonstration of institutional maturity, accountability and a commitment to good corporate governance,” she said.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority — one grounded in transparency, performance and stakeholder confidence.”
Rwodzi challenged the board and management to institutionalise a culture of ethical leadership and accountability.
“Good governance is not an event — it is a culture. It is built through ethical leadership, accountability, transparency and responsible stewardship of resources.
“I, therefore, implore the board and management to continue inculcating the right culture at ZTA by upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and honesty in all operations and in the management of public resources.”
She reaffirmed tourism’s strategic importance to Zimbabwe’s economic development and Vision 2030 aspirations.
“Tourism remains a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s socio-economic transformation.
“It is a critical driver of economic growth, employment creation, foreign currency generation, investment attraction and cultural exchange.
“Tourism continues to contribute significantly to our economy and remains one of the strategic pillars towards the attainment of Vision 2030.”
Rwodzi also highlighted the country’s growing emphasis on heritage-based tourism development under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“Through the vision and leadership of His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe has increasingly embraced a heritage-based tourism development model that leverages our cultural assets, traditions, gastronomy, wildlife, arts, history and people as key tourism products,” she said.
“This approach is positioning Zimbabwe as an authentic destination built on identity, heritage and sustainability.”
The successful AGM is widely viewed as a major milestone in ZTA’s reform journey and a strong indication that the authority is entering a new era defined by transparency, accountability and performance-driven leadership as it seeks to accelerate growth in Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.
