The Minister of Tourism Walter Mzembi said that he is in the race to get to the top post at international level despite the loss of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Secretary General post. Mzembi said this during the Young African Leaders Initiatives (YALI) Mandela Washington Fellowship organised meeting at the Meikles Hotel in Harare last Saturday.
The Tourism Minister encouraged the youths who are studying outside the country to be inspired by what he was doing in tourism.
“Having to run for the UNWTO post should be a source of inspiration for the youths.” said Mzembi.
The tourism minister lost the UNWTO secretary general by a narrow margin of three votes to Zurab Pololikashvili of Georgia this year.
Mzembi, who was one of the guest speakers with Nelson Chamisa and Jessie Majome, said that he ventured into politics because he is good at leadership.
In 2013, the UNWTO held its first general assembly in Southern Africa at Victoria Falls with Mzembi leading the tourism ministry. Harare Carnival which is done yearly in the country is one of the initiatives that have been done in the country with Mzembi heading the tourism ministry.
“I don’t struggle in the area of leadership but I do struggle in the area of business” said Mzembi.
The minister encouraged the youth to as well venture into what they are good at.
To the students that are leaving the country for studies in USA, Mzembi advised them not to be too harsh on their country since Zimbabwe and USA are on different stages in democracy.
The minister advised the young people going to learn in other countries to learn what can be implemented in Africa.
“Any opportunity that makes you go out there and disconnect you with the 65% of the minerals in the world, disconnects you with the opportunities in Africa.” said the tourism minister.
Currently, Zimbabwe has nearly 1300 tertiary students studying in the USA according to the Newsday Zimbabwe. This makes Zimbabwe number 6 in exporting students to USA among Sub Saharan African countries.
YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship aims to invest in the grooming of the youth in leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
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