Africa Press-Nigeria:
Zimbabwe is a beautiful country, not so much because it is home to one of the seven wonders of the world — the mighty Mosi-oa-Tunya (The Smoke that Thunders), known to the world as Victoria Falls, her wildlife heritage or stunning scenery, but her people.
Zimbabweans are a compassionate and hospitable people who can go the whole nine yards in accommodating visitors.
There is so much the people of Zimbabwe can give, so much more than meets the eye, but there is one thing they cannot let go, for it is close to their hearts — their freedom; which Independence was begotten of blood, violence, lead, iron, limb and sweat in a protracted engagement in the trenches of struggle.
It is that journey they have embarked on to reclaim their heritage; that, no matter what happens, they cannot simply overlook, even in their hospitable way, for hospitality is guided by ethos.
As the philosopher Jacques Derrida affirms, unconditional hospitality as an ideal, is impossible.
Hospitality is always informed by set conditions that clearly distinguish between the host and the guest, with the host reserving the right to stretch out his/her hand as can possibly be done, and withholding that which he/she considers non-shareable, even under duress.
Isn’t that what Independence means; the right for a people to collectively determine their destiny leveraging on their ancestral heritage — the land, and all that it encompasses; wildlife, water bodies, rivers, mountains, forests, minerals and on all that permanently grows on it?
With Zimbabwe’s 40th anniversary drawing close, it is only appropriate to reflect on how the nation State, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry has been able to ward off human and natural vagaries trained at her, and create opportunities for citizens using their collective heritage.
Born in 2019, for purposes of synchronisation, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry is headed by Honourable Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu with Mr Munesushe Munodawafa as the Permanent Secretary.
Mandate
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry’s obligation is to promote best practices in environmental and natural resources management.
To fulfil this mandate, the ministry is inspired by the vision to become a leading regional player in sustainable and natural resources management for socio-economic development.
